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 Dhabis traffic problems.
Abu Dhabis gridlock is the result of
several factors.
There are several reasons for Abu
Dhabis traffic problems.
Specify! Dont 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 emirates
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
Effect 1,
Effect 2,
Effect 3,

sentence (Topic)
more information
more information
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 Dhabis traffic affects the city in
various ways.
Traffic jams have many negative
consequences for the city.
Specify! Dont 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
Give your opinion

Look to the Future

and/or

Conclusion: Sample 1
Overall, Abu Dhabis traffic
problems are caused by an overreliance 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