IELTS Writing Task 2: Public Transport - Band 8.0 Sample with Full Breakdown

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The Prompt

Some people believe that governments should spend money on building public transport in urban areas. Others argue that individuals should be responsible for their own transport. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Model Answers

Band 6.0 Answer

Scoring Breakdown

• Task Response (TR): Presents a position but does not extend or support ideas sufficiently.
• Coherence and Cohesion (CC): Ideas are logically organized but lack clear progression.
• Lexical Resource (LR): Uses some less common vocabulary but with some inaccuracies.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): Makes frequent grammatical errors that impede communication.

In modern cities, the issue of transport is a significant concern. Some people think that governments should invest in public transport, while others believe individuals should be responsible for their own transport. I agree with the latter view.

Firstly, public transport can be expensive. Building and maintaining buses, trains, and subways requires a lot of money. This money could be used for other important services like education or healthcare. Secondly, public transport is not always convenient. It may not go to all the places people need to go, and it may not run at all hours. This can be a problem for people who work late or need to travel at odd hours.

On the other hand, individuals can choose the type of transport that suits them best. They can buy a car, a motorcycle, or a bicycle. They can also choose to walk or use a taxi. This gives them more freedom and flexibility. Moreover, individuals can save money by choosing cheaper forms of transport. They can also choose to carpool or use public transport when it is convenient for them.

In conclusion, I believe that individuals should be responsible for their own transport. This gives them more freedom and flexibility, and it can also save them money.

Band 7.0 Answer

Scoring Breakdown

• Task Response (TR): Presents a clear position with relevant, extended, and supported ideas.
• Coherence and Cohesion (CC): Ideas are logically organized with clear progression.
• Lexical Resource (LR): Uses a mix of common and less common vocabulary appropriately.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): Makes some grammatical errors but they do not impede communication.

The debate over who should be responsible for transport in urban areas is a contentious one. While some advocate for government investment in public transport, others argue for individual responsibility. I believe a balanced approach is necessary.

Proponents of government investment in public transport argue that it can alleviate traffic congestion and reduce pollution. By providing efficient and affordable public transport, governments can encourage more people to use it, thereby reducing the number of private vehicles on the road. This can lead to less traffic congestion and lower emissions. Moreover, public transport can be a lifeline for those who cannot afford private transport. It provides them with a means to commute to work, school, or other essential destinations.

However, relying solely on public transport may not be practical. Public transport systems may not cover all areas, and they may not operate at all hours. This can be inconvenient for those who need to travel at odd hours or to remote locations. Furthermore, public transport can be crowded and uncomfortable, especially during peak hours. This can deter people from using it.

On the other hand, individual responsibility can provide more freedom and flexibility. People can choose the type of transport that suits their needs and schedule. They can also choose to carpool or use public transport when it is convenient for them. This can lead to a more efficient and personalized transport system.

In conclusion, a balanced approach is necessary. Governments should invest in public transport to provide a basic level of service, but individuals should also be responsible for their own transport needs. This can lead to a more efficient, flexible, and sustainable transport system.

Band 8.0 Answer

Scoring Breakdown

• Task Response (TR): Presents a clear position with relevant, extended, and supported ideas.
• Coherence and Cohesion (CC): Ideas are logically organized with clear progression and effective use of cohesive devices.
• Lexical Resource (LR): Uses a range of less common vocabulary accurately and flexibly.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms with frequent error-free sentences.

The role of governments and individuals in urban transport is a complex issue. While some argue for government investment in public transport, others advocate for individual responsibility. I believe that governments should prioritize public transport, but individuals should also play a role.

Advocates of government investment in public transport contend that it can mitigate traffic congestion and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. By providing efficient and affordable public transport, governments can incentivize more people to use it, thereby reducing the number of private vehicles on the road. This can lead to less traffic congestion, lower emissions, and a healthier urban environment. Moreover, public transport can be a social equalizer. It provides a means of commuting for those who cannot afford private transport, thereby promoting social mobility and reducing inequality.

However, relying solely on public transport may not be practical. Public transport systems may not cover all areas, and they may not operate at all hours. This can be inconvenient for those who need to travel at odd hours or to remote locations. Furthermore, public transport can be crowded and uncomfortable, especially during peak hours. This can deter people from using it. Additionally, public transport can be expensive to maintain and operate. This can strain government budgets, especially in times of economic downturn.

On the other hand, individual responsibility can provide more freedom and flexibility. People can choose the type of transport that suits their needs and schedule. They can also choose to carpool or use public transport when it is convenient for them. This can lead to a more efficient and personalized transport system. Moreover, individuals can choose to use environmentally friendly forms of transport, such as bicycles or electric vehicles. This can reduce emissions and promote sustainability.

In conclusion, a balanced approach is necessary. Governments should invest in public transport to provide a basic level of service, but individuals should also be responsible for their own transport needs. This can lead to a more efficient, flexible, and sustainable transport system. Governments can provide the infrastructure and regulations, while individuals can choose the type of transport that suits their needs. This can lead to a more harmonious and sustainable urban environment.

Vocabulary Highlights

1. Alleviate (verb): to make something less severe or intense. Example: The new policy aims to alleviate traffic congestion in the city center.
2. Contention (noun): a point of disagreement or argument. Example: The issue of public transport funding is a contentious one.
3. Deter (verb): to discourage someone from doing something. Example: The high cost of public transport may deter some people from using it.
4. Efficient (adjective): achieving maximum productivity with minimum wasted effort or expense. Example: The new public transport system is more efficient than the old one.
5. Emissions (noun): the production and discharge of something, especially gas or radiation. Example: The new policy aims to reduce emissions from private vehicles.
6. Flexibility (noun): the quality of bending easily without breaking. Example: The new public transport system offers more flexibility to commuters.
7. Incentivize (verb): to provide someone with an incentive. Example: The government is trying to incentivize people to use public transport.
8. Inconvenient (adjective): causing trouble or difficulty. Example: The lack of public transport in some areas can be inconvenient.
9. Mitigate (verb): to make something less severe, serious, or painful. Example: The new policy aims to mitigate the effects of traffic congestion.
10. Operate (verb): to be in effect or in force. Example: The new public transport system will operate 24 hours a day.
11. Promote (verb): to support or encourage something to happen or develop. Example: The new policy aims to promote the use of public transport.
12. Remote (adjective): located far from the main centers of population. Example: Some areas are too remote for public transport to reach.
13. Strain (noun): a situation or state of tension. Example: The high cost of maintaining public transport can strain government budgets.
14. Sustainable (adjective): able to be maintained at a certain rate or level. Example: The new public transport system is more sustainable than the old one.
15. Urban (adjective): relating to a city or town. Example: The new policy aims to improve urban transport in the city.

Common Mistakes

1. Lack of Clear Position: Some students present both views but fail to clearly state their opinion. This can lead to a lower score in the Task Response criterion.
2. Poor Organization: Some students present their ideas in a disorganized manner, making it difficult for the examiner to follow their argument. This can lead to a lower score in the Coherence and Cohesion criterion.
3. Inaccurate Vocabulary: Some students use vocabulary inaccurately, which can lead to a lower score in the Lexical Resource criterion. For example, using 'alleviate' instead of 'alleviate'.
4. Grammatical Errors: Some students make frequent grammatical errors, which can lead to a lower score in the Grammatical Range and Accuracy criterion. For example, using 'its' instead of 'it's'.
5. Lack of Support: Some students present their ideas but fail to support them with relevant examples or arguments. This can lead to a lower score in the Task Response criterion.

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