IELTS Writing Task 2: Public Transport (Discussion) — Band 6/7/8/9 Model Answers
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The Prompt (Official IELTS Writing Task 2 Format)
Some people argue that governments should spend more money to improve public transport. Others believe this money would be better invested in improving the facilities and infrastructure for cyclists and pedestrians. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Band 9 Model Answer
Governments worldwide face the challenge of balancing transportation investments. While some advocate for enhanced public transport systems, others contend that prioritizing facilities for cyclists and pedestrians offers greater long-term benefits.
Proponents of public transport investments argue that buses, trains, and subways can significantly reduce traffic congestion and air pollution. For instance, cities like Tokyo and London have successfully implemented extensive public transport networks, leading to reduced private vehicle usage and improved urban mobility. Moreover, efficient public transport systems can improve access to employment and education for lower-income residents. However, maintaining and expanding these systems requires substantial, ongoing financial investment.
Conversely, investing in cycling and pedestrian infrastructure presents compelling advantages. Dedicated bike lanes, pedestrian walkways, and improved street lighting can encourage healthier, more active lifestyles while reducing transportation-related carbon emissions. Cities such as Amsterdam and Copenhagen have demonstrated that such investments can decrease traffic congestion and enhance quality of life. Additionally, these improvements are often more cost-effective and quicker to implement than large-scale public transport projects.
In my view, while public transport plays a crucial role in urban mobility, governments should allocate more resources to cycling and pedestrian infrastructure. This approach not only promotes healthier lifestyles and environmental sustainability but also provides a more flexible and cost-effective solution to urban transportation challenges.
Scoring Breakdown
- Task Response (TR): 9.0 – Presents a fully developed position throughout the response with extended and supported arguments.
- Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 9.0 – Uses cohesive devices flexibly and appropriately to guide the reader. Paragraphing is logically structured.
- Lexical Resource (LR): 9.0 – Uses a wide range of vocabulary with full flexibility and precision. Includes less common lexical items with awareness of style and collocation.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 9.0 – Uses a wide range of complex sentence forms with full flexibility and accuracy. Rare minor errors occur only as slips.
Band 8 Model Answer
The debate over transportation investments has intensified as urban populations grow. Some people believe governments should invest more in public transport, while others argue for better facilities for cyclists and pedestrians.
Those who support increased investment in public transport argue that it can alleviate traffic congestion and reduce pollution. For example, cities with well-developed public transport systems, such as Berlin and Singapore, have experienced a decrease in private vehicle usage. Furthermore, public transport can provide affordable and reliable transportation options for people who cannot afford cars. However, the high costs of maintaining and expanding public transport networks can be a significant drawback.
On the other hand, investing in cycling and pedestrian infrastructure offers several benefits. Building bike lanes and walkways can promote healthier lifestyles and reduce carbon emissions. Cities like Barcelona have successfully implemented these changes, resulting in cleaner air and less traffic. Additionally, these improvements are often more affordable and can be implemented more quickly than large-scale public transport projects.
In my opinion, governments should prioritize investing in cycling and pedestrian infrastructure. Not only does this approach encourage healthier living, but it also provides a cost-effective solution to urban transportation challenges.
Scoring Breakdown
- Task Response (TR): 8.0 – Presents a clear position throughout the response with extended and supported arguments.
- Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 8.0 – Uses cohesive devices effectively but may occasionally use less precise markers or make some unspecified references.
- Lexical Resource (LR): 8.0 – Uses a sufficient range of vocabulary with some less common lexical items, but there may be some less precise or less sophisticated word choices.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 8.0 – Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, but there may be occasional errors in grammar, punctuation, or spelling.
Band 7 Model Answer
Governments need to decide how to spend money on transportation. Some people think more money should be spent on public transport, while others believe it is better to invest in facilities for cyclists and pedestrians.
People who support investing in public transport say that it can reduce traffic and pollution. For example, cities with good public transport, like Paris, have fewer cars on the road. Public transport can also help people who do not have cars get to work or school. However, building and maintaining public transport can be very expensive.
Others think that governments should spend money on bike lanes and walking paths. These improvements can make people healthier and reduce pollution. Cities like Amsterdam have shown that more people will ride bikes if there are safe places to do so. Building these facilities is often cheaper and faster than building public transport systems.
I think governments should spend more money on facilities for cyclists and pedestrians. This can help people stay healthy and reduce pollution. It is also a cheaper and faster solution.
Scoring Breakdown
- Task Response (TR): 7.0 – Presents a clear position throughout the response with some extended and supported arguments.
- Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 7.0 – Uses cohesive devices effectively but may occasionally use less precise markers or make some unspecified references.
- Lexical Resource (LR): 7.0 – Uses a mix of simple and complex vocabulary, but there may be some less precise or less sophisticated word choices.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 7.0 – Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, but there may be occasional errors in grammar, punctuation, or spelling.
Band 6 Model Answer
Some people say governments should spend more money on buses and trains. Others think it is better to spend money on bike lanes and walking paths.
Public transport can help reduce traffic and pollution. For example, cities with good public transport have fewer cars. But public transport is expensive to build and maintain.
Bike lanes and walking paths can make people healthier. They can also reduce pollution. These things are cheaper to build than public transport.
I think governments should spend more money on bike lanes and walking paths. They are cheaper and can help people stay healthy.
Scoring Breakdown
- Task Response (TR): 6.0 – Presents a clear position but with some aspects of the task not fully addressed or extended.
- Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 6.0 – Uses some cohesive devices but may not always use them appropriately or may occasionally leave some unclear references.
- Lexical Resource (LR): 6.0 – Uses a limited range of vocabulary, with some less precise or less sophisticated word choices.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 6.0 – Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, but there may be frequent errors in grammar, punctuation, or spelling.
Vocabulary Highlights
- Advocate (verb): To publicly support or suggest an idea or course of action.
- Example: Many environmentalists advocate reducing carbon emissions.
- Congestion (noun): A situation in which there are too many people or vehicles in one place, causing delays and problems.
- Example: Traffic congestion is a major problem in large cities.
- Infrastructure (noun): The basic physical and organizational structures and facilities needed for the operation of a society or enterprise.
- Example: The government is investing in new infrastructure projects.
- Promote (verb): To support or actively encourage something to happen or be more widely known.
- Example: The campaign aims to promote healthy living.
- Sustainability (noun): The ability to be maintained at a certain rate or level without depleting natural resources.
- Example: Sustainable practices are essential for protecting the environment.
- Alter (verb): To change something slightly, especially to improve it.
- Example: The new policy will alter the way we approach urban planning.
- Feasibility (noun): The likelihood of something being practical, possible, or achievable.
- Example: The feasibility of the project depends on the available resources.
- Prioritize (verb): To consider something more important than other things and give it more attention or priority.
- Example: The government needs to prioritize public health initiatives.
- Alleviate (verb): To make something less severe, serious, or painful.
- Example: Improved public transport can alleviate traffic congestion.
- Implement (verb): To put something, such as a plan or system, into effect.
- Example: The new policy will be implemented next year.
- Dedicated (adjective): Devoted to a particular purpose or cause.
- Example: The new bike lane is dedicated to cyclists.
- Enhance (verb): To increase or improve something, especially a quality, ability, or piece of equipment.
- Example: The new technology will enhance the efficiency of the system.
- Encourage (verb): To give support, confidence, or hope to someone.
- Example: The government should encourage people to use public transport.
- Allocate (verb): To distribute something, especially money or resources, for a particular purpose.
- Example: The government needs to allocate more funds for public transport.
- Cost-effective (adjective): Giving good value for the money spent; cost-efficient.
- Example: Building bike lanes is a cost-effective solution.
- Urban (adjective): Relating to a city or town.
- Example: Urban planning is essential for sustainable development.
- Investment (noun): The action or process of investing money for future profit or benefit.
- Example: The government is making significant investments in infrastructure.
- Promote (verb): To support or actively encourage something to happen or be more widely known.
- Example: The campaign aims to promote healthy living.
- Sustainability (noun): The ability to be maintained at a certain rate or level without depleting natural resources.
- Example: Sustainable practices are essential for protecting the environment.
- Alter (verb): To change something slightly, especially to improve it.
- Example: The new policy will alter the way we approach urban planning.
Common Mistakes Students Make
- Lack of Clear Position: Failing to state a clear opinion or position on the issue.
- Inadequate Development of Ideas: Providing only superficial arguments without sufficient explanation or examples.
- Poor Cohesion and Cohesion: Using cohesive devices incorrectly or not using them at all, leading to a disjointed response.
- Limited Vocabulary: Using simple or repetitive vocabulary instead of a wide range of appropriate words.
- Grammatical Errors: Making frequent grammatical, punctuation, or spelling errors that distract from the message.
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