Traffic Congestion

Cause and Effect Essay

Introduction

 Three sentences
 2: Two background sentences
 1: “This essay will discuss…”
Introduction: Background

 Two sentences

 Describe the current situation or

 Describe the past and present or
 Give one side and the other side
Introduction: Background Ex.1

Describe the current situation

Abu Dhabi is a modern city, but it

faces a modern problem. Every
morning and evening, the streets are
crowded with cars, taxis and trucks.
Introduction: Background Ex.2

Describe the past and present

Thirty years ago there were only a

handful of cars in the dusty town of
Abu Dhabi. Today, the streets are
bumper-to-bumper with modern 4WD
vehicles, luxury saloons, and taxis.
Introduction: Background Ex.3

Give one side and the other side

Abu Dhabi is one of the most highly

developed cities in the Arab world.
However, traffic congestion is a serious
problem.
Introduction: Thesis

Thesis: Say what the essay will do

This essay will examine the causes of

traffic congestion in Abu Dhabi and
look at some of the effects.

discuss, analyze, examine, describe,

outline, look at, mention, illustrate,
review, explore, investigate…
Sample Introduction

Abu Dhabi is a modern city, but it also

has a modern problem. Every morning
and evening, the streets are crowded
with cars, taxis and trucks. This essay
will examine the causes of traffic
congestion in Abu Dhabi and look at
some of the effects.
Causes

Seven sentences (approx.)

 Opening sentence (Topic)

 Cause 1, more information
 Cause 2, more information
 Cause 3, more information
Causes: Topic Sentences

 Several factors have contributed to

Abu Dhabi’s traffic problems.

 Abu Dhabi’s gridlock is the result of

several factors.

 There are several reasons for Abu

Dhabi’s traffic problems.

Specify! Don’t use pronouns like This or It

in the opening.
Causes

 No trains, trams, buses, metro, etc (poor public

transport infrastructure)
 Too many taxis
 Everybody can afford a car due to rapid
economic growth
 Road building cannot keep up
 Rapid population growth
 Limited space on the island
 High temperatures
 Children cannot walk to school
 No staggered hours
Causes: Sample 1

One of the main causes of

congestion is the high number of
cars. Because of the emirate’s
rapid economic growth, most
residents can afford private
vehicles.
Causes: Sample 2

Another contributing factor is the

lack of a public transport
infrastructure. The absence of
buses, trains, or an underground
forces residents to rely on cars or
taxis.
Causes: Sample 3

The road system is another cause

of congestion. Although the roads
are highly developed, planners
have not been able to keep up
with the rapid expansion of the
population. Frequent road works
also lead to delays.
Effects

Seven sentences (approx.)

 Opening sentence (Topic)

 Effect 1, more information
 Effect 2, more information
 Effect 3, more information
Effects

 Higher levels of anger and frustration

 More air pollution due to emissions
 Increased noise pollution
 More wasted time, delays at work and
at school or when doing errands
 Reduced productivity
 Less pleasant environment
 Higher motoring costs (wasted fuel)
Effects: Topic Sentences

 This congestion has several adverse

effects.

 Abu Dhabi’s traffic affects the city in

various ways.

 Traffic jams have many negative

consequences for the city.

Specify! Don’t use pronouns like This or It

in the opening.
Effects: Sample 1

The biggest effect is increased

anger and frustration.
Commuters and shoppers
experience delays, resulting in
tension and stress as they sit in
traffic. This can even lead to
increased accident rates.
Effects: Sample 2

Another adverse effect is on the

environment. Air quality declines
as vehicle emissions rise. Noise
levels also increase. In general,
the city becomes a less pleasant
place to live or work.
Effects: Sample 3

A major effect is on productivity

and efficiency. Workers and
students are late for work or
school. Salesmen and travelers
waste hours in traffic jams,
leading to lost profits.
Conclusion

 Two or three sentences

 Summarize the main ideas and/or

 Give your opinion

 Look to the Future

Conclusion: Sample 1

Overall, Abu Dhabi’s traffic

problems are caused by an over-
reliance on private transport and
a failure to keep up with the
rapidly expanding population.
However, the city has shown it
can solve problems in the past,
and I am confident that it can
reduce traffic congestion in the
future.
Conclusion: Sample 2

Overall, too many cars for too

few road have lead to severe
congestion in the city. However,
if the municipal authorities
encourage residents to use public
transport, I am sure Abu Dhabi
will continue to be a pleasant city
to live in in the future.
Traffic Congestion

Cause and Effect Essay