Public transportation is a crucial topic in IELTS Writing Task 2, frequently appearing in various forms. The question of whether governments should subsidize public transport is particularly relevant, as it touches on urban planning, economics, and environmental concerns. This essay topic has a high probability of appearing in future IELTS exams due to its global significance and the ongoing debates surrounding public transportation policies.
Let’s examine a typical IELTS Writing Task 2 question on this subject:
Some people think that governments should subsidize public transportation to make it affordable for everyone. Others believe that public transportation should be self-financing. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Analyzing the Question
This question requires candidates to:
- Discuss arguments for government subsidies on public transportation
- Explore reasons why public transportation should be self-financing
- Provide a personal opinion on the issue
It’s important to address all parts of the question and provide a balanced discussion before stating your own view.
Government Subsidies for Public Transportation
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)
Public transportation plays a vital role in modern urban life, and the debate over its financing is a contentious issue. While some argue for government subsidies to ensure accessibility, others contend that public transport should be self-sustaining. This essay will examine both perspectives before offering a personal viewpoint.
Proponents of government subsidies argue that affordable public transportation is essential for social equity and environmental sustainability. By keeping fares low through subsidies, governments can ensure that low-income individuals have access to reliable transportation, thus promoting equal opportunities in employment and education. Moreover, subsidized public transport encourages more people to use these services instead of private vehicles, leading to reduced traffic congestion and lower carbon emissions. Cities like Vienna and Luxembourg, which have heavily subsidized or free public transport, have seen significant improvements in air quality and urban mobility.
On the other hand, advocates for self-financing public transportation systems argue that this approach promotes efficiency and reduces the burden on taxpayers. When transport services are required to cover their costs through fares, they are incentivized to optimize routes, improve service quality, and innovate to attract more passengers. This market-driven approach can lead to more responsive and customer-oriented services. Additionally, self-financing systems do not strain government budgets, allowing public funds to be allocated to other essential services such as healthcare and education.
In my opinion, a balanced approach combining elements of both views is most beneficial. While complete self-financing may lead to prohibitively high fares, full subsidization could result in inefficiencies and unsustainable costs for governments. I believe that a hybrid model, where governments provide partial subsidies to keep fares affordable while still requiring a degree of self-financing, is the optimal solution. This approach can ensure accessibility for all socioeconomic groups while maintaining incentives for efficiency and innovation in public transport systems.
In conclusion, the financing of public transportation is a complex issue with valid arguments on both sides. A nuanced approach that balances social equity, environmental concerns, and economic efficiency is necessary to create sustainable and effective public transport systems for the future.
(Word count: 329)
Analysis of Band 8-9 Essay
This essay demonstrates the qualities of a high-scoring IELTS Writing Task 2 response:
Task Response: The essay fully addresses all parts of the question, discussing both views and providing a clear personal opinion.
Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is well-organized with clear paragraphing and effective use of linking devices (“On the other hand”, “Moreover”, “In conclusion”).
Lexical Resource: The writer uses a wide range of vocabulary accurately and appropriately (“contentious issue”, “social equity”, “incentivized”, “prohibitively high”).
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay showcases a variety of complex sentence structures with minimal errors (“While complete self-financing may lead to prohibitively high fares, full subsidization could result in inefficiencies and unsustainable costs for governments.”).
Development of Ideas: Each point is well-developed with explanations and examples, demonstrating a sophisticated understanding of the topic.
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)
Public transport is an important part of city life, and there are different opinions about how it should be paid for. Some people think the government should help make it cheaper, while others believe it should pay for itself. I will discuss both ideas and give my own thoughts.
Those who support government help for public transport say it’s good for society. When buses and trains are cheap, everyone can use them, even people without much money. This helps people get to work and school more easily. Also, if more people use public transport instead of cars, there will be less pollution and traffic in cities. For example, in some European cities with cheap public transport, the air is cleaner and there are fewer traffic jams.
However, some people think public transport should pay for itself. They say this makes the service better because companies will try harder to get more customers. If the government doesn’t pay, it can use the money for other things like hospitals or schools. Also, when people pay the full price, they might value the service more and take better care of it.
In my opinion, I think a mix of both ideas is best. The government should help a little to keep prices low, but public transport companies should also try to make money. This way, the service can be affordable for everyone, but also efficient and well-run.
To conclude, there are good reasons for both government help and self-financing in public transport. I believe a balance between the two is the best solution for cities and their people.
(Word count: 268)
Analysis of Band 6-7 Essay
This essay demonstrates the qualities of a mid-range IELTS Writing Task 2 response:
Task Response: The essay addresses all parts of the question, providing a discussion of both views and a personal opinion.
Coherence and Cohesion: The essay has a clear structure with introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. Some basic linking words are used (“However”, “Also”, “To conclude”).
Lexical Resource: The vocabulary is adequate for the task, with some attempt at more sophisticated words (“pollution”, “efficient”), but generally relies on simpler language.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentences with generally good control, though there is less variety compared to the Band 8-9 essay.
Development of Ideas: Ideas are presented clearly, but with less depth and sophistication compared to the higher band essay. Examples are more general rather than specific.
Key Vocabulary for IELTS Writing on Public Transportation
- Subsidize (verb) /ˈsʌbsɪdaɪz/ – to support financially
- Accessibility (noun) /əkˌsesəˈbɪləti/ – the quality of being able to be reached or entered
- Incentivize (verb) /ɪnˈsentɪvaɪz/ – to encourage or motivate
- Congestion (noun) /kənˈdʒestʃən/ – the state of being overcrowded, especially with traffic
- Sustainability (noun) /səˌsteɪnəˈbɪləti/ – the ability to be maintained at a certain rate or level
- Efficiency (noun) /ɪˈfɪʃənsi/ – the state of being productive with minimum waste
- Infrastructure (noun) /ˈɪnfrəstrʌktʃər/ – the basic physical systems of a country or region
- Urbanization (noun) /ˌɜːrbənaɪˈzeɪʃən/ – the process of making an area more urban
- Commuter (noun) /kəˈmjuːtər/ – a person who travels some distance to work on a regular basis
- Carbon emissions (noun phrase) /ˈkɑːrbən ɪˈmɪʃənz/ – the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere
Conclusion
The topic of government subsidies for public transportation is a complex and relevant issue for IELTS Writing Task 2. It allows candidates to demonstrate their ability to discuss various perspectives on urban planning, economics, and environmental policy. When approaching this topic, it’s crucial to present a balanced argument, use specific examples, and articulate a clear personal opinion.
For practice, consider writing an essay on the following related topics:
- Should governments invest more in improving public transportation or building new roads?
- Do the environmental benefits of public transportation outweigh the costs to taxpayers?
- How can cities encourage more people to use public transportation instead of private vehicles?
Remember to structure your essay clearly, use a range of vocabulary and grammatical structures, and develop your ideas with relevant examples. Feel free to share your practice essays in the comments section for feedback and discussion. This active engagement will help you improve your IELTS Writing skills and prepare effectively for the exam.