今回の Topic は、Official Guide to the TOEFL の Independent Essay 第３４問です。

１. Topic           

         Do you agree or disagree with the following statement: in the twenty years there will be fewer cars on the road than there are today.  

２. Struture

a) Thesis Statement (Introduction)                

      In my opinion, within twenty years, most people in the world won’t need to own cars due to the wide spread of ride-sharing and car-sharing services, the improved public transportation systems and regulations to restrict the number of cars. 

b) Body の部分を構成する３つの Paragraph の Main Idea は、

第１ Paragraph　ライド・シェア及びカー・シェアサービスの普及により、個人が車を所有する必要性は減少していく

第２ Paragraph　高度な自動運転機能（ＡＩ）を備えた電気自動車、バスの普及は、公共交通機関の拡大を容易にする

第３ Paragraph　交通渋滞と地球温暖化ガス削減を目的とする都市部における交通制限規制も、自家用車の台数削減に貢献する

 

 ３. Sample        

     In my opinion, within twenty years, most people in the world won’t need to own cars due to the wide spread of ride-sharing and car-sharing services, the improved public transportation systems and regulations to restrict the number of cars.                                    

     To begin with, more and more people are using ride-sharing or car-sharing service rather than purchasing their own cars.  Until recently, the number of cars has been increasing steadily, which caused heavy traffic jam in major cities.  Given the fact that owning cars entails substantial cost for fuels and maintenance, everybody cannot afford to have a car.  That’s why ride-sharing and car-sharing services have gained momentum.  With smartphone and necessary application software, you we can call for such services anytime and anywhere.                                                          

     In addition, less expensive electric cars equipped with highly sophisticated Artificial Intelligence (AI) should make it easier for cities, towns, and villages to develop and maintain efficient public transportation systems.  As most people see automobiles as means for travel, they didn’t need to rely on ride-sharing or car-sharing services if they could use extensive and reasonably fared public transportation system, which connects between their suburban homes and downtown workplace and entertainment areas.  This would lead to the reduction of the number of cars.                                                                                                                                                    

     Finally, local regulations aimed at alleviating traffic jams global warming in city areas should also help reduce the number of cars.  Although shifting to electric cars has been accelerated, there are still tens of millions of gasoline fueled cars, which emit greenhouse gas, in the world.  And over crowed streets in large cities have prevented smooth flow of business.  In order to respond to these problems, local governments would restrict the number of privately owned cars in the cities, with the exception of those intended to serve ride-sharing or car-sharing.                                                        

     It is true that the number of cars would increase in the developing world for the time being.  However, the number should decrease within twenty years due to the three reasons I mentioned above. 

 

To be continued.