Public transportation plays a crucial role in urban development and mobility. The topic of free public transportation has been a recurring theme in IELTS Writing Task 2, appearing in various forms over the past few years. Based on this trend, it’s likely to remain a relevant subject for future exams. Let’s examine a recent IELTS Writing Task 2 question that addresses this issue:
Some people think that governments should provide free public transportation in order to reduce traffic congestion and pollution. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
This question challenges test-takers to critically analyze the potential benefits and drawbacks of implementing free public transportation. Let’s break down the question and provide sample essays for different band scores.
Question Analysis
The question asks for your opinion on whether governments should offer free public transportation to address two specific issues: traffic congestion and pollution. Key points to consider:
- The main topic is free public transportation
- The proposed benefits are reducing traffic congestion and pollution
- You need to state your level of agreement or disagreement
- You should provide reasons and examples to support your stance
Now, let’s look at sample essays for different band scores.
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)
Traffic congestion and air pollution are significant challenges faced by many cities worldwide. While some argue that providing free public transportation could alleviate these issues, I partially agree with this proposition. Although it may offer some benefits, I believe there are more effective solutions to address urban mobility and environmental concerns.
Undoubtedly, free public transportation could encourage more people to use buses, trains, and other mass transit options instead of private vehicles. This shift could potentially reduce the number of cars on the road, thereby easing traffic congestion and lowering emissions. Moreover, it would make transportation more accessible to low-income individuals, promoting social equity and inclusivity in urban areas. For instance, when Estonia’s capital, Tallinn, introduced free public transport in 2013, it saw a 14% increase in ridership within the first year, demonstrating the potential impact of such policies.
However, the implementation of free public transportation is not without its challenges. Firstly, the financial burden on governments would be substantial, potentially leading to budget cuts in other crucial areas such as healthcare or education. Additionally, without proper investment in infrastructure and service quality, free public transport might result in overcrowding and decreased efficiency, ultimately discouraging usage. A more balanced approach would be to focus on improving the overall quality and accessibility of public transportation while implementing targeted subsidies for specific groups, such as students or the elderly.
Furthermore, to effectively combat traffic congestion and pollution, a multifaceted strategy is necessary. This could include promoting electric cars over petrol vehicles, implementing congestion pricing in city centers, and investing in cycling infrastructure. These measures, combined with efficient public transportation, would create a more comprehensive solution to urban mobility challenges.
In conclusion, while free public transportation may seem like an attractive solution to reduce traffic congestion and pollution, its effectiveness and feasibility are debatable. A more holistic approach that combines improved public transport with other sustainable mobility initiatives is likely to yield better results in creating cleaner, more efficient urban environments.
(307 words)
Free public transportation reducing urban traffic
Essay Analysis (Band 8-9)
This essay demonstrates excellence in several key areas:
Task Achievement: The essay fully addresses all parts of the task, presenting a clear position with a nuanced view (partial agreement). It discusses both the benefits and challenges of free public transportation, offering a balanced perspective.
Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is well-organized with clear paragraphing. Ideas flow logically, and cohesive devices are used effectively (e.g., “Undoubtedly,” “However,” “Furthermore”).
Lexical Resource: The vocabulary used is sophisticated and precise (e.g., “alleviate,” “multifaceted strategy,” “congestion pricing”). The essay demonstrates the ability to use less common lexical items accurately.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay showcases a wide range of complex structures used accurately (e.g., “While some argue that…,” “without proper investment in…”). There is a good mix of simple and complex sentences, enhancing the overall fluency.
Development and Support: Each main point is well-developed with relevant examples and explanations, such as the reference to Tallinn’s public transport policy.
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)
Traffic congestion and pollution are big problems in many cities today. Some people think that making public transportation free is a good solution. I agree with this idea to some extent, but I also think there are some problems with it.
There are several advantages to free public transportation. First, it can encourage more people to use buses and trains instead of driving their cars. This can help reduce the number of vehicles on the roads, which means less traffic and less pollution. Also, free public transport can be very helpful for people who don’t have much money, making it easier for them to travel around the city for work or other activities.
However, there are also some disadvantages to consider. The main problem is that it would be very expensive for governments to provide free public transport. They would need to find a lot of money to pay for it, which might mean higher taxes or less spending on other important things like schools or hospitals. Another issue is that if public transport becomes free, it might get very crowded and the quality of service might go down.
I think a better solution would be to improve the quality of public transportation and make it more affordable, but not completely free. Governments could also try other methods to reduce traffic and pollution, like encouraging people to use eco-friendly transportation or creating more bicycle lanes in cities.
In conclusion, while free public transportation could help with traffic and pollution problems, it also has some drawbacks. I believe a combination of different approaches would be more effective in solving these urban issues.
(270 words)
Eco-friendly transportation in urban planning
Essay Analysis (Band 6-7)
This essay demonstrates good writing skills but has some areas for improvement:
Task Achievement: The essay addresses the main parts of the task and presents a clear position. However, the ideas could be developed more fully with more specific examples.
Coherence and Cohesion: The essay has a clear structure with introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. Basic cohesive devices are used (e.g., “First,” “However,” “Also”), but there’s room for more sophisticated linking.
Lexical Resource: The vocabulary is generally appropriate and accurate, with some attempt at less common words (e.g., “eco-friendly”). However, there’s repetition of some phrases and a reliance on simpler vocabulary.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentences with generally good control. There are no major grammatical errors, but the range of structures could be wider.
Development and Support: Main points are supported with reasons and examples, but these could be more detailed and specific to fully illustrate the arguments.
Key Vocabulary
- Traffic congestion (noun) – /ˈtræfɪk kənˈdʒestʃən/ – The state of having too many vehicles on the road, causing delays
- Public transportation (noun) – /ˈpʌblɪk trænspɔːˈteɪʃən/ – Buses, trains, etc. that are available for the public to use
- Alleviate (verb) – /əˈliːvieɪt/ – To make a problem or suffering less severe
- Infrastructure (noun) – /ˈɪnfrəstrʌktʃər/ – The basic systems and services that a country or organization uses in order to work effectively
- Multifaceted (adjective) – /ˌmʌltɪˈfæsɪtɪd/ – Having many different aspects or features
- Congestion pricing (noun) – /kənˈdʒestʃən ˈpraɪsɪŋ/ – A system of charging drivers more to use roads at busy times
- Feasibility (noun) – /ˌfiːzəˈbɪləti/ – The state of being possible and likely to be achieved
- Holistic (adjective) – /həˈlɪstɪk/ – Dealing with or treating the whole of something or someone and not just a part
- Sustainability (noun) – /səˌsteɪnəˈbɪləti/ – The ability to continue or be continued for a long time
- Eco-friendly (adjective) – /ˈiːkəʊ ˈfrendli/ – Not harmful to the environment
Conclusion
The topic of free public transportation as a solution to traffic congestion and pollution is likely to remain relevant in future IELTS exams. It touches on important urban planning, environmental, and social issues that are of global concern. When approaching this topic, consider the following potential questions:
- What are the long-term economic impacts of free public transportation?
- How might free public transport affect urban development and housing patterns?
- Can free public transportation effectively reduce private vehicle ownership?
- What alternative solutions could be as effective as free public transport in reducing congestion and pollution?
To practice, try writing your own essay on this topic or a related one, such as “The pros and cons of urban living vs. rural living” or “effects of urban sprawl on city infrastructure“. Share your essay in the comments section for feedback and discussion with other learners. Remember, consistent practice is key to improving your IELTS Writing skills.