opinion essay on transport

Essay on Traffic Problems

by Fyo (Russia)

Could you please check my essay on traffic problems? 😊 It's my first text I am making to get ready for the IELTS test. I am going to leave it the way it is. I've spent 25 minutes to write it and +3 minutes for a quick check. My aim was to see how well I can write in the shortest period of time possible. The number of words is 362. (Yeah. I checked the amount of words after I finished writing, so now I know it's not that hard to write 250 words on a topic. Next time I'll try not to write that much) *** In order to solve traffic problems, governments should tax private car owners heavily and use the money to improve public transportation. What are the advantages and disadvantages of such a solution? Over the last few years, the number of car owners rapidly increased. It led to a rise of traffic problems, such as traffic jams, violation of parking regulations and road accidents. In order to ameliorate the situation, the government and the authorities are discussing the introduction of taxes for private car owners. They say the money paid by the drivers could be used to improve the transport situation. Is it really a solution for the issue? On the one hand, introducing extra taxes for drivers sounds like a good idea. The money could be used to repair the roads which are in poor condition at the moment. But on the other hand, repairing the roads will not make them wider. The actual problem is that streets and avenues in the center of the city were constructed without the anticipation of such an increase of number of vehicles on the city roads, in other worlds, the problem is not only in their condition, but in their width, which cannot be changed. In this case, the only solution would be building new bypass roads, so people who need to get from one part of the city to another could avoid having to drive through the historical center with its narrow streets and avenues. However, it would not solve the problem completely, as most of the people in our city work in the center, so traffic jams would be inevitable in the rush hours anyway. On the other hand, if the government uses the money they get from the tax-payer drivers would be invested in improving the infrastructure of public transport, we could see fewer cars on the street. It is obvious that the main reason we use private cars is the lack of good public transportation. If the government increases the number of buses and makes the bus routes better planned, people could choose using public transport during their everyday life and use their private cars only for other trips, for example to get to the countryside or another towns. To sum up, introducing the taxes might be a good idea, but the most important issue is to decide where to invest this money. (362 words) *** PS: I didn't read the essay on traffic problems posted here on the same topic before writing it. I really recommend doing the same: 1) read the topic; 2) write an essay of your own 3) then read the essay of another author to compare your vocabulary, ideas and structure.

Electric Cars Essay

by Christina (Kazakhstan, Almaty)

Should only electric cars be allowed on the road?

Some people think that only electric cars should be allowed on the road by 2040. Do you agree or disagree? There are a lot of discussions about if there should only be electric cars on the road in the future. Electric cars are one of the most innovative inventions that were done in the XXI century. Despite the fact that many people think there would be lots of positive aspects, In my view it also has enough drawbacks. First reason why I disagree with this statement is the high price of electric cars. Electric cars are not only expensive by themselves, but also are rather complicated to maintain. Even if there would be analogs for Tesla, the most popular electrocar company, they require electrical charge, which surely costs more than simple gasoline cars. Moreover not every country in the world has electro-stations as it can be unprofitable and cost too much money. That means, it would be very hard to force people to refuse ordinary cars, and not every country would be able to afford it. Second thing I need to say is that electromobiles have limited speedrun up to 500 kilometers for premium brands, hence the cheaper the automobile, the less time it can last. It can be changed in the future, but nowadays they are not efficient in terms of daily lasting. On the other hand, electromobiles are obviously the best type of cars that can be offered in today's market for the environment. Although they require a lot of energy, it is generally better than gas and petrol that pollute the air with chemicals. Usage of electric automobiles can reduce carbon footprint. As well as that they can be charged with renewable energy and use things like solar power. In conclusion, this statement has both advantages and disadvantages. However, I suppose, it will take too much maintenance to change the whole car industry, as electric cars still have their downfalls.

Reliance on Cars

I am taking IELTS this coming Saturday and in need of comments for my essay writing. Please help! More and more people are relying on the private car as their major means of transportation. Describe some of the problems the reliance on cars can cause, and suggest at least one possible solution. The increasing preference of using private vehicles as the means of transportation has caused an array of issues in many parts of the world. This essay will examine some potential impacts that this trend has on society and suggest some feasible solutions to ameliorate such backlash. Predominantly, the rise of private vehicles has led to a number of issues which severely affect the quality of life of the people. To begin with, this trend is the root cause of traffic congestion in many metropolitan areas. More vehicles simply mean more traffic; road infrastructures are unable to keep up with such a sudden increase, thus lead to traffic jam. In addition, this malpractice is one of the contributing factors to pollution which affect us day by day. For example, the amount of burning fossil fuels significantly increase in order to fire up the engines of the millions vehicles. This translates that the severity of the pollution to the environment are gradually rising due to the amount of carbon dioxide being emitted to the atmosphere. Apart from this, noise pollution is also derived, though partially, from the increasing number of vehicles, and it tremendously degrades the quality of life people used to have before the advent of the development. This, however, is not an impossible-to-solve issue if proper measures have been in place by the government and individuals. First of all, heavy tax can be introduced by the government in order to deter commuters from tempting to use their private means of transport, due to its high cost. At the same time, it also encourages people to start using public transportation. Individual people can also contribute to solving this matter. Carpooling, for example, is an effective solution to traffic congestion, and should well be adopted by many, so that, instead of one car for one person, a group of four or five and share if their destination is identical. In conclusion, although increasing number of vehicles poses some serious issues to the society, it can still be easily resorted if everyone join hands and take some serious steps to solving it.

Building Railways or Roads

Governments should spend more money on railways rather than roads. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Since time immemorial, people try to find the most effective way for transferring goods as well as for travelling. Some of them prefer to use railways, another find more advantages by car driving. Whilst, I believe that there are strong arguments on both sides, I would suggest that it is more beneficial for national authorities to invest in railways building. Nobody can deny that spending money on roads is more profitable for government. First, all materials, which are necessary for such building, are usually cheaper to purchase than, for example, to buy rails or trains. It also should be noticed that during next five or ten years authorities could spend less money on roads reconstruction or repair. Moreover, the speed of the roads building is the factor of utmost importance. Due to the spending less time for the road creation, government, for example, can efficiently deliver all necessity goods and help to the citizens who suffer from earthquake or storm. Turning to the other side of the argument, railways continue to show their potential in developed countries. Modern trains, which are used only electricity, have a positive impact on our environment. Japan is the best example of how rational using of railways helps government to develop all areas of the country. New trains could be used by more than thousands people per hour, which allow workers to drive to their factories and offices at any part of the country. Despite the fact that the newest train’s speed is about 600 km per hour, Japanese railways are safety and very convenient. To conclude, both railways and roads have advantages and disadvantages for counties. However, I strongly believe that if the governments have enough money they should invest in railways rather than in roads, because modern trains are more reliable and faster than cars or buses. In long term perspective national authorities will spend less on environment protection as well as on attracting labor in small cities.

Paying to Maintain Roads

As the number of cars increases, more money has to be spent on road systems. Some people think the government should pay for this. Others, however, think that drivers should cover the costs. Discuss both views and give your opinion. Some today have argued that the funding for road systems should be the responsibility of governments instead of individuals. In my opinion, although maintaining roads can be considered a public service, private motorists should pay in order to more generally benefit society. Proponents of governments assuming road costs argue this is a basic service tax-payers expect. In all countries, working adults must pay a certain percentage of their monthly salary to the government. From these contributions, individuals justly feel entitled to a variety of public services ranging from police and fire departments to affordable hospitals and safe infrastructure. Roads are a key component in this contract as most people drive in order to go to work, see friends, and take holidays. The government will itself benefit not only from fulfilling this mandate but also in terms of the financial byproduct of consumers being outside actively contributing to a market economy. However, forcing drivers to pay these costs will greatly discourage private automobile ownership. This disincentive is crucial today because cities are overcrowded and private vehicles contribute to rising pollution levels. In large cities such as New York City and Tokyo, it is nearly impossible to traverse the city by automobile at peak rush hours. If there were fewer cars on the road, then people could travel more freely on bicycles, on foot, and using public transportation. Additionally, private vehicles are inefficient. Other forms of travel leave relatively small carbon footprints but cars, often carrying only one or two passengers, use more petrol than would normally be required to transport people. Replace cars with more efficient transport options and there would be a marked decrease in the consumption of fossil fuels. In conclusion, despite the strong argument that tax-payers deserve public infrastructure such as roads, it is more important to discourage individuals from purchasing cars. In the long-term, this will greatly benefit cities and the world as a whole.

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IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer: Transportation

by Dave | Cambridge 13 | 0 Comment

This is an actual question from a past test and I’m a former examiner who wrote this IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer.

Be sure to avoid the mistakes that most students make on writing by signing up for my exclusive ielts ebooks here on patreon., transportation is such a common topic – you are likely to hear about it in the listening or read about it in the reading test., it may also come up on the speaking make sure you take a close look at the sample answer as well as all the vocabulary exercises below as they may be able to help all parts of your ielts score, click here for  my other sample answers ., if you need some help thinking of ideas you can try my tips on brainstorming here ., ielts examiner sample answer from cambridge 13: transportation (by dave).

Some people think that governments should invest mainly in making public transportation faster while other think there are more important priorities (cost, the environment). Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

While many are of the opinion that the most important factor in public transport is speed, others value areas such as cost and the environment. In my opinion, although there are a number of key considerations, speed is by far the most important.

Two of the most commonly addressed areas of public transport are cost and the environment. in vietnam, the quality of the public transport buses is very low and they produce a lot of air pollution. however, they are very cheap and this allows the residents who need them the most, typically students and low-wage earners, to afford them. in an ideal world the government would have cheap buses that produce little exhaust, but cost and environmental concerns will always be in conflict. in developing countries, it makes sense to emphasise the expense of tickets while developed countries have the wealth and responsibility to try to better balance these competing policy influences., although these are worthwhile considerations, speed of transport should be the main rationale as it has a trickle down effect on the economy and quality of life of a country. for example, japan has a famously fast and efficient system of railways both inside cities and connecting provinces within the country. if someone has a family, faster transport allows them to spend more time with their family both before and after work. this can enhance the quality of life of working class people. it also means that they will get to work faster, get more work done during the day and have more time to recuperate for the next day. over years and decades this has hastened japan’s development into one of the world’s leading economies., in my opinion, cost and the environment are crucial for ordinary people and the future of our planet but speed has a greater effect on people in both the short and long-term. governments that focus on faster public transport will reap the rewards for decades and be able to reinvest that money in areas like the environment, education, and healthcare. , ielts examiner sample answer analysis, 1. while many are of the opinion that the most important factor in public transport is speed, others value areas such as cost and the environment. 2. in my opinion, although there are a number of key considerations, speed is by far the most important., 1. my first sentence restates what the ielts essay topic is – keep it simple and fast, 2. the second sentence gives a clear opinion – don’t sit in the middle – be 100% clear in your opinion from the very beginning., 1. two of the most commonly addressed areas of public transport are cost and the environment. 2. in vietnam, the quality of the public transport buses is very low and they produce a lot of air pollution. 3. however, they are very cheap and this allows the residents who need them the most, typically students and low-wage earners, to afford them. 4. in an ideal world the government would have cheap buses that produce little exhaust, but cost and environmental concerns will always be in conflict. 5. in developing countries, it makes sense to emphasise the expense of tickets while developed countries have the wealth and responsibility to try to better balance these competing policy influences., 1. my first sentence is my topic sentence with the main idea for the paragraph: the relative importance of the environment and cost., 2. my second sentence begins a specific detailed example about the cost of transport in vietnam., 3. the third sentence further develops this example by explaining the effect on students., 4. the fourth sentence explains why the environment and cost will always be in conflict., 5. my fifth sentence concludes the paragraph by distinguishing between rich and poor countries., 1. although these are worthwhile considerations, speed of transport should be the main rationale as it has a trickle down effect on the economy and quality of life of a country. 2. for example, japan has a famously fast and efficient system of railways both inside cities and connecting provinces within the country. 3. if someone has a family, faster transport allows them to spend more time with their family both before and after work. 4. this can enhance the quality of life of working class people. 5. it also means that they will get to work faster, get more work done during the day and have more time to recuperate for the next day. 6. over years and decades this has hastened japan’s development into one of the world’s leading economies., 1. my first sentence is another topic sentence that has the main idea for this paragraph: the speed of transport is important., 2. the second sentence immediately begins the example for this – start your examples as quickly as possible. don’t waste any time, 3. the third sentence continues the example by detailing the impact of this., 4. my fourth sentence further explores the impact of faster transportation., 5. the fifth also continues to explore the impact. be as specific as possible, 6. my sixth sentence concludes the paragraph by mentioning the impact on the whole country of japan., 1. in my opinion, cost and the environment are crucial for ordinary people and the future of our planet but speed has a greater effect on people in both the short and long-term. 2. governments that focus on faster public transport will reap the rewards for decades and be able to reinvest that money in areas like the environment, education, and healthcare., 1. my first sentence restates the opinion that i already said in the introduction and the main reason why., 2. the second sentence gives an extra detail that a lot of examiners will require for band 7+ for task achievement., sample answer vocabulary, while many are of the opinion that the most important factor in public transport is speed, others value areas such as cost and the environment. in my opinion, although there are a number of key considerations , speed is by far the most important., two of the most commonly addressed areas of public transport are cost and the environment. in vietnam, the quality of the public transport buses is very low and they produce a lot of air pollution. however, they are very cheap and this allows the residents who need them the most , typically students and low-wage earners , to afford them. in an ideal world the government would have cheap buses that produce little exhaust , but cost and environmental concerns will always be in conflict. in developing countries, it makes sense to emphasise the expense of tickets while developed countries have the wealth and responsibility to try to better balance these competing policy influences ., although these are worthwhile considerations , speed of transport should be the main rationale as it has a trickle down effect on the economy and quality of life of a country. for example, japan has a famously fast and efficient system of railways both inside cities and connecting provinces within the country. if someone has a family, faster transport allows them to spend more time with their family both before and after work. this can enhance the quality of life of working class people. it also means that they will get to work faster, get more work done during the day and have more time to recuperate for the next day. over years and decades this has hastened japan’s development into one of the world’s leading economies., in my opinion, cost and the environment are crucial for ordinary people and the future of our planet but speed has a greater effect on people in both the short and long-term. governments that focus on faster public transport will reap the rewards for decades and be able to reinvest that money in areas like the environment, education, and healthcare., important factor: a key element, key considerations: important to think about, by far: clearly, far and away, commonly addressed: often considered or dealt with, residents who need them the most: people who require something, low-wage earners: people who do not make much money, i n an ideal world: in a perfect world, ideally, exhaust: fumes coming out of cars, environmental concerns: possible problems related to the environment, better balance: make something more equal, policy influences: to control or alter laws, worthwhile considerations: good reasons to think about, rationale: reason for doing something, trickle down effect: impact will reach many people, enhance the quality of life: make life better, recuperate: get better, hastened: make faster, crucial: important, key, greater effect: bigger impact, reap the rewards: get rewards, receive what you deserve )if it’s good), reinvest: put money back into something, vocabulary practice, while many are of the opinion that the most ____________________  in public transport is speed, others value areas such as cost and the environment. in my opinion, although there are a number of ____________________ , speed is ____________________  the most important., two of the most ____________________ areas of public transport are cost and the environment. in vietnam, the quality of the public transport buses is very low and they produce a lot of air pollution. however, they are very cheap and this allows the ____________________ , typically students and ____________________ , to afford them. ____________________  the government would have cheap buses that produce little ____________________ , but cost and ____________________  will always be in conflict. in developing countries, it makes sense to emphasise the expense of tickets while developed countries have the wealth and responsibility to try to ____________________  these competing ____________________ ., although these are ____________________ , speed of transport should be the main ____________________  as it has a ____________________  on the economy and quality of life of a country. for example, japan has a famously fast and efficient system of railways both inside cities and connecting provinces within the country. if someone has a family, faster transport allows them to spend more time with their family both before and after work. this can ____________________  of working class people. it also means that they will get to work faster, get more work done during the day and have more time to ____________________  for the next day. over years and decades this has  ____________________ japan’s development into one of the world’s leading economies., in my opinion, cost and the environment are ____________________  for ordinary people and the future of our planet but speed has a ____________________  on people in both the short and long-term. governments that focus on faster public transport will ____________________  for decades and be able to ____________________  that money in areas like the environment, education, and healthcare., links from youtube, check out some links to videos that can help you to review the vocabulary above and learn new words and ideas that can help you on the test:, how the world’s first metro was built, an animated history of transportation, the future of transportation,  you can also check out my youtube channel for ielts related videos., comment below – what do you think is the most important factor for public transport cost, environment, speed or something else.

I’d venture to say that… I’m not alone in thinking that… Some people might disagree with me, but I’d still say… All wheeled transport should be banned – what’s wrong with walking around?

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Sample writing travel and transport topics for task 2

Travel and transport is a topic you will have to discuss and write about in your IELTS writing exam.

Although it is not overly complicated, this topic can be a little confusing while under pressure.

That’s why we created a list of exercises to help you prepare yourself for this part of the exam.

Go down the list of exercises and answer the questions like you would in the actual exam.

Travel and transport practice topics

1. In many countries people tend to move overseas or move to a different part of their country after their retirement. Discuss why they do so and what the outcome of this situation is. Provide specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

2. Some people prefer to use energy-saving modes of transportation like hybrid cars and bicycles. Others prefer the usual mode of transportation like buses and trains because it is fast and efficient. Which mode of transportation do you prefer and why? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.

3. Low-price airlines lack most of the conveniences of normal air plane flights. However, the prices of the tickets are usually lower. Discuss negative and positive aspects of having lower rates of air plane tickets for travellers. Provide specific reasons and examples to support your response.

4. Is it good for families if parents need to travel a lot in their job or if they need to move to other cities? Is moving to a new location positive for children? Discuss your opinion and support it with specific reasons and examples.

5. Better driver education for better driving habits is more effective than heavier punishments for driving offences. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Use specific reasons and examples to support your position.

6. Some people like to travel outside of their countries. Others would rather travel to the tourist spots in their own country first before travelling abroad. Which do you prefer to do and why? Include specific details and examples to support your choice.

7. Although more and more people use public transport, some city streets are still overcrowded with traffic. How can this problem be solved? Provide specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

8. People are more mobile nowadays. They seldom live in one city all of their lives. Why do you think this is happening? What are the consequences of this trend? Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this situation. Provide specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

9. In some countries the government promotes public transport as the primary means of transportation, and discourages private vehicle ownership. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this situation. Provide specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

10. Compared to the past, people can now work in places that are far from their homes because of modern means of transportation. How has this affected the lives of workers? Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of having modern transportation. Support your answer with specific reasons and examples.

11. Recent surveys show increased interest in relocation and travel to other countries. What may be the reasons for this trend, and what will be the possible outcome from this behaviour? Provide examples for your opinion.

For an introduction on how to start IELTS writing task 2 click here.

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IELTS Writing task 2 band 6.5 | Public transportation

Today, we will be looking at two writing task 2 essays about public transport. They would both score 6.5 in the test for different reasons. Read on to find out more about why these essay would score 6.5, and what would make them better!

Many people believe that free public transportation should be available in most major cities.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of this idea?

You should write at least 250 words.

According to many, public transport which can be used without paying charges should be available in most metropolitan cities. The major benefit of this belief is traffic congestion will be reduced noticeably. Whereas , a drawback is the more burdens will occur on the government.

An increasing number of private vehicles on the roads are creating an enormous amount of traffic, which is closely tied to produce a massive amount of sound pollution . It is, eventually, harmful to the human lungs and ears. Applying free public transportation can result in encouraging people to switch from their personal car to public vehicles in daily activities. In this way, the government can draw a line on excessively increasing traffic amount in urban settings as well as sound pollution would be cut back . Free public transportation can also help individually because people can move around without paying a fare, and they do not have to think of parking or maintenance costs, which they have to spend if they use a private car. Consequently, It can be said that free public transportation has many advantages for both individuals and states.

Despite a number of benefits, there are also some drawbacks of free public transportation. One of the major difficulties is the government have to be undergone a burden because they have to allot a huge amount of tax-payers money to invest for launching public vehicles and continuously pay the maintenance cost of free public transportation and in return, the government will be got no amount of money. This massive amount of money the government could use for the neediest sector, such as the infrastructural improvement of the healthcare system which is the most important part of the people who actually pay the taxes. With the huge disadvantage of free public transportation, it cannot be considered a wise decision to make public transportation free of charge.

In conclusion, free public transportation can come up with the blessings of less traffic congestion in most mejor cities. Besides , it also creates a huge problem for the government can not give their focal point on other neediest sectors.

Task Achievement

The task achievement is good here.

One issue that prevents this essay from scoring higher for task achievement is that the conclusion does not properly cover the main points in the body of the essay. This means that it addresses all parts of the task (band 7), but the band 8 criterion (sufficiently addresses all parts of the task) is not met.

Note that the conclusion does not say whether the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. This is fine because the question does not ask which are greater!

The body paragraphs have nice, logical concluding remarks, meaning that ideas develop well.

• addresses all parts of the task
• presents a clear position throughout the response
• presents, extends and supports main ideas , but there may be a tendency to overgeneralise and/or supporting ideas may lack focus

Paragraphing is logical and there is clear progression throughout.

The use of cohesive devices (transition signals, referencing and substitution) is usually good in this essay, with lots of variety. The use of coherence markers is not mechanical.

The reason that this essay does not score band 7 is that several cohesive devices are incorrectly used: whereas (in the introduction) and besides in the conclusion are wrong. The meaning of besides is inappropriate, and whereas has been used with only one clause, whereas correct use would require two clauses (see what I did there? 😉). Another error with transitions is the use of as well as – it is being used to substitute and, but the usage is incorrect.

There is an idea that doesn’t properly match up here: sound pollution and harm to the lungs. This would prevent the essay from scoring higher once issues with transition signals are fixed.

• arranges information and ideas coherently and there is a clear overall progression
• uses cohesive devices effectively, but cohesion within and/or between sentences may be faulty or mechanical
• may not always use referencing clearly or appropriately
• uses paragraphing, but not always logically

Lexical resource

There is some good vocabulary with an awareness of style and location.

There are some collocation errors, but there is enough good vocabulary here to justify the higher score.

Wording in the conclusion is quite clumsy (can come up with the blessings of less traffic congestion) and needs to be tidied up.

Some other word choice and word for errors include ‘belief’ vs ‘concept / idea’, ‘burdens will occur’ vs ‘burdens will be placed on’, ‘draw a line on’ vs ‘draw a line under’, ‘think of’ vs ‘think about’, ‘costs are spent’ vs ‘costs are incurred’. However, the meaning is clear throughout.

• uses a sufficient range of vocabulary to allow some flexibility and precision
•  uses less common lexical items with some awareness of style and collocation 
• may produce occasional errors in word choice, spelling and/or word formation

Grammatical range and accuracy

The grammar is also good here, but the seriousness of errors prevents a higher score.

There are a few errors where the writer has not used the passive, and it makes the meaning a little confusing: ‘this massive amount of money the government could use’ vs ‘this massive amount of money could be used by the government’, ‘One of the major difficulties is the government have to be undergone a burden’ vs ‘The government has to undergo a burden’ (or better still, ‘a burden is placed on the government’, ‘the government will be got’ vs ‘the government will get’

There are a few grammatical issues around the transition signals ‘whereas’ and ‘as well as’.

• Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms
• Makes some errors in grammar and punctuation but they rarely reduce communication

A lot of people are of the opinion that public transport should be cost free and accessible in large cities however this idea has its merits and demerits .

Firstly we will discuss one of the merits which is easy travels.

A large number of individuals need to move from place to place via public transport such as buses, trains and ferries or using commercial motorcycles and taxi services. Making these services free and available improves for use improves the living conditions of the people as they can visit places without having to worry about the cost and this helps to save money as the money spent on transport fare can be unbearable . For example, people who work far from home spend almost all their earnings on transportation. If this is excluded, more money can be saved and used for other pressing issued such as feeding and care of the family thereby giving the low income workers live a comfortable life.

One of the disadvantages include increase in tax payment by locals. In most countries, tax paid by the people is used for its development. Revenue from transportation is quite significant as it is used on a daily basis but if this were to be made free, it will cause a fall in revenue generation and thereby causing an increase in tax on other sectors such as water, electricity and health.

Another disadvantage is overcrowding. Making public transport free will encourage its use by many as I is for a fact that most people love free services. This in turn increases the number of people in a particular place thereby increase the risk of spreading communicable disease such as the deadly Coronavirus, tuberculosis and exacerbation of asthma as a result of congestion .

In conclusion, the benefits of making public transport free of charge and available include easy movement from place to place, a more convenient life and reduce expenses however , it could cause increase in tax payment for other services and increase the risk in the transmission of diseases.

Task achievement is good overall with good idea development and logical conclusions.

There is some overgeneralisation in the example about people spending almost all their earnings on transportation. A bit more specificity and focus would be good (Some/many workers in developing countries who commute long distances spend…)

The paragraph about overcrowding could also be a bit more focused (a particular place = packed into confined spaces on buses and trains, thereby increasing…)

It would be nice if the introduction either gave a bit more background on the topic or more fully introduced some of the main arguments.

The writer would benefit from covering another advantage, or directly stating multiple advantages (e.g. There are clear advantages of free public transport: not only do citizens save transport fares, but it can also reduce levels of poverty by giving the poorest families more disposable income).

• presents, extends and supports main ideas, but there may be a tendency to overgeneralise and/or supporting ideas may lack focus

The paragraphing is usually good, but there is a very noticeable issue with the paragraph ‘Firstly we will discuss one of the merits which is easy travels’.

This could be added into the introduction (although it isn’t a great purpose statement because it hasn’t really dealt with the overall purpose of the essay, rather it is only introducing the following paragraph). It could also be added to the paragraph about saving money, but it wouldn’t make a very strong topic sentence because it is far too general.

There is good use of cohesive devices, and the structure is neither repetitive nor mechanical.

• uses cohesive devices effectively , but cohesion within and/or between sentences may be faulty or mechanical

The use of demerits is very common amongst non-native speakers preparing for their IELTS tests. We don’t know where it has come from, but we don’t like it. In all my years of reading articles across a very wide range of disciplines, I have only seen this word used once or twice to mean disadvantage as opposed to penalty (and it wasn’t by a native speaker). It is hardly ever used by native speakers and it sounds unnatural. Avoid!!!

There is a good range of vocabulary, including some nice collocations. Some good examples of vocabulary here are: living conditions; earnings; tax payment; development; revenue from transportation; significant; revenue generation; sectors; overcrowding; services the risk of spreading communicable disease; coronavirus/tuberculosis/exacerbation of asthma (showing a range of health vocab in a relevant context).

There are some unfortunate word choices and word form errors that prevent this from scoring more highly: unbearable vs unmanageable; pressing issued vs pressing issues; the use of congestion is confusing for a number of reasons: traffic congestion? Nasal congestion? It is likely the writer meant ‘crowded’.

• may produce occasional errors in word choice , spelling and/or word formation

There is some great grammar here, but unfortunately there are fairly frequent punctuation errors which lead to quite a high error density, preventing this from receiving a better score.

The writer needs to work on the grammar used around the word ‘thereby’ – it is an excellent cohesive device, and the use is appropriate. The grammar is quite complicated, though:

‘Thereby’ on its own is following by a noun phrase and should not include a verb (thereby giving the low-income workers live a comfortable life; thereby increase the risk of spreading communicable disease)

‘and thereby’ – the rules for and take over: it needs to follow the grammar of the idea being linked by the ‘and’ (‘it will cause a fall in revenue generation and thereby causing an increase in tax on’ should be ‘ it will cause a fall in revenue generation and will thereby cause an increase in tax on’).

That brings an end to this essay rating. If you are preparing for your IELTS test and want to find out a bit more about task 2, check out our post giving five tips to improve your IELTS writing task 2 ! In both essays, the writers would get the same scores in all 4 criteria, but for different reasons. Was there anything here that surprised you? Have your say, and comment in the section below!  Click here for the full public IELTS task 2 writing descriptors .

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IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer: Many people believe that free public transportation should be available in most major cities. Advantages and disadvantages?

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IELTS Writing Task 2 essay with model answer

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task. Write about the following topic

Many people believe that free public transportation should be available in most major cities. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this idea?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words.

Model Answer:

Is is believed by a number of people  that in metropolitan cities, public transportation must be provided without any charges. However, despite the positive aspects of this amenity there are some drawbacks. Both of the rides will be discussed in the forthcoming paragraphs.

On the one hand, free travel in public vehicles can certainly bring benefits for the people especially in financial terms. For individuals, as a monetary assistance by authorities as the daily commute fare will be saved. Additionally, on a boarder scale, a considerable impact of this phenomenon is on environment. To illustrate this approach,  because public transport will be free, people will give priority to it rather than using their own conveyances. Ultimately, this trend will assist in tiding over population problems as automobiles are a major source of air pollution due to the emission of hazardous fumes into the atmosphere. Eventually, a decrease in traffic congestion will automatically occur due to diminished use of private vehicles. Hence, there are immense advantages of free public transportation.

However, on the other hand, it is also possible that free travel in public vehicles can put detrimental effects on the smooth functioning of governmental policies. For instance, in a recent publication, it stated that in developed countries, income from public transportation accounts for 6:1 to 12:1 of the GDP. Therefore, it is obvious that this considerable proportion of revenue will not be available and further expenditures such as maintenance, investment and salaries will put an additional financial burden on authorities which could have been used in alternative needy sectors. So, it cannot be considered as a wise decision to make public transportation free of charge.

In conclusion, even though many people suggest to make urban transportation to facilitate the journeys for city dwellers, it will not help the bodies economically which is the major drawback against several benefits of this suggestion.

Total Words: 315

Task Achievement: 8

Coherence & cohesion: 7, lexical resources: 7, overall score: band 7.

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Ielts writing task 2 sample 299 - public transport is the best way to solve traffic problems in cities, ielts writing task 2/ ielts essay:, encouraging people to use public transport is the best way to solve traffic problems in cities..

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Essay on Public Transportation

Students are often asked to write an essay on Public Transportation in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Public Transportation

Introduction.

Public transportation refers to vehicles like buses and trains, used by the public to travel. It is a shared system, meaning it carries multiple passengers at once.

Public transportation is important because it helps decrease traffic congestion. It also reduces air pollution by lessening the number of cars on the road.

Using public transportation can save money as it’s cheaper than maintaining a car. It also promotes social interaction and provides mobility to those who can’t drive.

In conclusion, public transportation is beneficial for the environment, economy, and society. Therefore, we should consider using it more frequently.

250 Words Essay on Public Transportation

Role in urban mobility.

Public transportation plays a pivotal role in facilitating urban mobility. It reduces congestion by transporting a larger number of people in a single vehicle, compared to private cars. This efficiency aids in reducing travel time, enhancing productivity, and improving the overall quality of life for citizens.

Economic Impact

Public transportation is a significant economic driver. It creates job opportunities, both directly and indirectly, and stimulates local economies by enhancing accessibility to businesses. It also plays a crucial role in reducing the economic burden of transportation for individuals, particularly those from lower-income groups.

Environmental Implications

Public transportation contributes to environmental sustainability by reducing the carbon footprint. It minimizes the number of vehicles on the road, leading to lower emissions and reduced energy consumption. It also aids in mitigating climate change by fostering a transition towards a low-carbon urban transport system.

Social Equity

Public transportation promotes social equity by providing affordable and accessible transportation options to all, irrespective of socio-economic status. It ensures that everyone can access essential services, job opportunities, and social activities, thereby reducing social exclusion.

In conclusion, public transportation is a cornerstone of sustainable urban development. It is instrumental in promoting economic growth, environmental sustainability, and social equity. Therefore, investing in public transportation is not just a matter of urban policy, but a key to achieving sustainable and inclusive cities.

500 Words Essay on Public Transportation

The role of public transportation.

Public transportation serves as the backbone of urban mobility, providing a sustainable alternative to private vehicle use. It mitigates the environmental impact of transport by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution. Public transit systems like buses, trams, and metros are designed to accommodate large passenger volumes, thereby decreasing the number of vehicles on the road and reducing traffic congestion.

Moreover, public transportation fosters social inclusion. It provides access to employment, education, healthcare, and recreational activities for all segments of the population, including low-income groups, the elderly, and people with disabilities. By offering a reliable and affordable means of travel, public transportation can bridge socio-economic disparities and facilitate social cohesion.

Challenges in Public Transportation

Funding issues are another significant hurdle. Public transportation is often heavily subsidized, relying on government funding to maintain operations. However, budget constraints can limit the capacity for system improvements and expansions.

Lastly, a lack of integrated planning can lead to inefficient transit systems. To maximize efficiency and user convenience, public transportation should be coordinated with other urban services such as housing, land use, and pedestrian infrastructure.

The Future of Public Transportation

Furthermore, the integration of public transportation with other modes of travel, such as bike-sharing and ride-hailing services, can create a seamless and flexible mobility network. This concept, known as Mobility as a Service (MaaS), represents a paradigm shift in urban transport, moving from vehicle ownership to shared mobility.

Sustainability is another key aspect of the future of public transportation. As cities strive to achieve carbon neutrality, electric buses, hydrogen-powered trains, and other forms of green public transit will play a crucial role in reducing transport-related emissions.

Public transportation is more than just a means of getting from one place to another. It is a tool for urban development, social equity, and environmental sustainability. Despite the challenges it faces, with proper planning, sufficient funding, and the integration of advanced technologies, public transportation can continue to serve as a vital component of urban life, shaping our cities for the better.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

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• General Reading
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• IELTS Writing Task 2
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Essay#63 | Transport

Ielts writing tip.

Task 2 of the Academic Writing test is an  essay . Don’t forget to plan your essay structure before you start writing. You should include an introduction, ideas to support your argument or opinion, real-life examples to illustrate your points, and a conclusion based on the information you have provided.

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Motorways help people travel quickly and cover long distances but they also cause problems. What are the problems of motorways and what solutions are there?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words.

Model answer.

Many countries in the world rely on motorways for speedy and efficient transportation, as they are a very convenient way of traveling long distances. However, motorways also have negative aspects such as dangerous traffic, damage to the environment, and pollution. In this essay, I will look at some of the problems of motorways and how they can be overcome.

One major problem with motorways is that they can be dangerous. In many countries, the speed limit on motorways is very high. This means that any accidents are more likely to be serious and involve many vehicles. Sometimes in bad weather, several vehicles crash into each other and many people are killed or injured. This problem could be solved in a number of ways. People could have special lessons on how to drive safely on motorways. In addition, special signs could be displayed when driving conditions are bad to make people drive more slowly and safely. Alternatively, the general speed limit could be reduced slightly.

Secondly, motorways can spoil the environment. Motorways often go through beautiful areas and may damage plants and wildlife. This problem could be avoided by building motorways through less beautiful areas or putting some sections in tunnels. In addition, a large amount of traffic on motorways produces both air pollution and noise pollution. However, governments could help to reduce air pollution by making environmentally-friendly cars cheaper. Noise pollution could be reduced by changing motorway surfaces or by putting up sound-proof fences.

Despite the problems of motorways, they are necessary and useful. With careful preparation and planning, the problems they cause could be reduced. People today are also more aware of environmental issues and as a result, car and road transport, in general, are becoming more environmentally friendly.

(290 words)

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