IELTS Writing Task 2: Cycling Infrastructure Band 7.5 Sample with Full Breakdown
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Full Prompt
Some people argue that governments should invest in cycling infrastructure to promote healthier lifestyles, while others believe this is an inefficient use of public funds. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Model Answers with Scoring Breakdown
Band 6.0 Answer
Scoring Breakdown:
- Task Achievement (5.0): Presents a position but development is limited.
- Coherence & Cohesion (6.0): Information is logically organized, but there are frequent mechanical connections.
- Lexical Resource (6.0): Attempts varied vocabulary but with errors and some repetition.
- Grammatical Range (6.0): Attempts complex structures but makes frequent mistakes.
> Some people think that governments should spend money on cycling infrastructure to make people healthier. Others say this is not a good use of money. I think both sides have good points.
The first opinion is that cycling is good for health. If people ride bikes, they will be more active and less likely to have heart problems. Also, cycling does not pollute the air, so it is good for the environment. Governments can build more bike lanes and give people incentives to ride bikes instead of drive cars.
However, some people think this is not a good use of money. They say that not everyone wants to ride bikes, and many people still need to drive cars. Also, building bike lanes can be expensive, and the money could be spent on other things like schools or hospitals. They think that people who want to ride bikes should pay for it themselves.
In my opinion, both sides are right. Governments should do something to promote healthy lifestyles, but they also need to think about how to spend money wisely. Maybe they can start with small projects in cities where many people already ride bikes. This way, they can see if it works before spending too much money.
Band 7.5 Answer
Scoring Breakdown:
- Task Achievement (7.0): Presents a clear position with logical development.
- Coherence & Cohesion (7.5): Uses paragraphing and cohesive devices effectively.
- Lexical Resource (7.5): Uses a mix of appropriate vocabulary with some less common items.
- Grammatical Range (7.5): Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms with frequent errors.
> The debate over whether governments should invest in cycling infrastructure to promote healthier lifestyles has two distinct perspectives. This essay will discuss both views before presenting my opinion.
On one hand, proponents of cycling infrastructure argue that it encourages physical activity and reduces pollution. Cycling is an excellent form of exercise that can help prevent obesity and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, bicycles produce zero emissions, which can significantly improve air quality in urban areas. By investing in bike lanes, bike-sharing programs, and safe storage facilities, governments can incentivize more people to cycle, leading to a healthier population and a cleaner environment.
Conversely, opponents contend that such investments are an inefficient use of public funds. They argue that not everyone is inclined to cycle, and many people rely on cars for their daily commutes. Additionally, constructing and maintaining cycling infrastructure can be costly. Critics suggest that these funds could be better allocated to other public services, such as education or healthcare, which have a more direct impact on people's well-being.
In my view, while both arguments have merit, governments should prioritize investing in cycling infrastructure. The long-term benefits of promoting cycling, such as improved public health and reduced environmental impact, outweigh the initial costs. Moreover, governments can start with pilot projects in areas with high cycling potential and expand based on their success. This approach ensures that public funds are used wisely while still encouraging healthier lifestyles.
Band 8.0 Answer
Scoring Breakdown:
- Task Achievement (8.0): Presents a clear position with thorough development and extensions.
- Coherence & Cohesion (8.0): Uses paragraphing and cohesive devices skilfully.
- Lexical Resource (8.0): Uses a wide range of vocabulary with less common lexical items.
- Grammatical Range (8.0): Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms with frequent error-free sentences.
> The question of whether governments should allocate funds to cycling infrastructure to foster healthier lifestyles has sparked considerable debate. This essay will explore both viewpoints before offering a personal stance.
Advocates for cycling infrastructure assert that it fosters physical activity and mitigates environmental degradation. Regular cycling can combat sedentary lifestyles, reducing the prevalence of obesity and chronic diseases. Additionally, bicycles are eco-friendly, as they do not emit harmful pollutants. By investing in cycling pathways, secure parking, and promotional campaigns, governments can create a cycling-friendly environment. This not only encourages more people to adopt this healthy habit but also contributes to sustainable urban development.
On the other hand, detractors argue that such investments are fiscally irresponsible. They point out that not everyone is willing or able to cycle, especially in areas with harsh weather conditions or long distances. Furthermore, the construction and upkeep of cycling infrastructure can be exorbitantly expensive. Critics contend that these funds could be better utilized in sectors such as public transportation or healthcare, which cater to a broader demographic.
In my opinion, the benefits of investing in cycling infrastructure far outweigh the drawbacks. The positive impacts on public health and the environment are undeniable. To ensure fiscal prudence, governments can initiate small-scale projects and gradually expand based on their effectiveness. For instance, they can start with bike-sharing programs in city centers and gradually extend to suburban areas. This phased approach allows for a cost-effective and strategic implementation of cycling infrastructure.
Vocabulary Highlights
- Promote (verb): To encourage or support the growth or development of something.
- Collocation: Promote healthy lifestyles, promote cycling
- Incentivize (verb): To give someone a reason or motivation to do something.
- Collocation: Incentivize cycling, incentivize people to cycle
- Allocate (verb): To distribute or assign resources for a specific purpose.
- Collocation: Allocate funds, allocate resources
- Proponent (noun): A person who supports or advocates for a particular idea or cause.
- Collocation: Proponent of cycling, proponent of infrastructure
- Opponent (noun): A person who opposes or disagrees with a particular idea or cause.
- Collocation: Opponent of cycling, opponent of infrastructure
- Mitigate (verb): To make something less severe, serious, or painful.
- Collocation: Mitigate environmental impact, mitigate costs
- Fiscally irresponsible (adjective): Not managing money or resources in a careful or sensible way.
- Collocation: Fiscally irresponsible investments, fiscally irresponsible spending
- Exorbitantly (adverb): To an excessive or unreasonable degree.
- Collocation: Exorbitantly expensive, exorbitantly high
- Phased approach (noun): A method of doing something in distinct stages or steps.
- Collocation: Phased approach, phased implementation
- Strategic (adjective): Relating to the identification of long-term goals and the means of achieving them.
- Collocation: Strategic implementation, strategic planning
- Sustainable (adjective): Able to be maintained at a certain rate or level without depleting natural resources.
- Collocation: Sustainable urban development, sustainable practices
- Prevail (verb): To prove more powerful or superior; to be successful or victorious.
- Collocation: Prevailing conditions, prevailing trends
- Combat (verb): To take action to reduce or prevent something bad or undesirable.
- Collocation: Combat obesity, combat pollution
- Eco-friendly (adjective): Not harmful to the environment.
- Collocation: Eco-friendly products, eco-friendly practices
- Fiscal prudence (noun): The quality of being careful or sensible with money or resources.
- Collocation: Fiscal prudence, financial prudence
- Demographic (noun): A particular segment of a population.
- Collocation: Broader demographic, target demographic
- Gradually (adverb): In a slow and steady way; progressively.
- Collocation: Gradually extend, gradually improve
- Suburban (adjective): Relating to the area on the outskirts of a large town or city.
- Collocation: Suburban areas, suburban development
- Implementation (noun): The process of putting a plan, idea, or policy into effect.
- Collocation: Implementation of cycling infrastructure, implementation of policies
- Cost-effective (adjective): Providing good value in relation to the cost; economical.
- Collocation: Cost-effective solutions, cost-effective methods
Common Mistakes Students Make
- Ignoring the Task: Some students fail to address both sides of the argument or present a clear opinion. Always ensure your essay covers all parts of the prompt.
- Poor Vocabulary Choices: Using vague or repetitive vocabulary can lower your Lexical Resource score. Aim for a mix of common and less common words.
- Grammatical Errors: Frequent grammatical mistakes can significantly impact your score. Practice using a variety of sentence structures and proofread your essays.
- Lack of Cohesion: Essays that lack logical flow and cohesive devices can be difficult to follow. Use connecting words and phrases to guide the reader through your argument.
- Inadequate Support: Providing weak or irrelevant examples can weaken your argument. Use specific and relevant examples to support your points.
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