Public transportation subsidies are a recurring theme in IELTS Writing Task 2 essays. This topic has appeared frequently in past exams and is likely to remain relevant in future tests due to its global significance. Let’s explore this subject through sample essays and in-depth analysis, focusing on the question of why public transport should be subsidized.
Analyzing the Task
For this essay, we’ll focus on the following question:
Some people believe that governments should subsidize public transportation to make it free for all users. Others think that public transport should be paid for by users. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
This question requires us to:
- Discuss arguments for government subsidies making public transport free
- Explore reasons why users should pay for public transport
- Provide our personal opinion on the matter
Let’s examine three sample essays of varying quality to understand how to approach this task effectively.
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)
Public transportation plays a crucial role in modern society, and the debate over whether it should be subsidized by governments or paid for by users is a contentious one. While both perspectives have merit, I believe that a balanced approach combining government subsidies and user fees is the most effective solution.
Proponents of free public transport argue that it offers numerous societal benefits. Firstly, it can significantly reduce traffic congestion and air pollution in urban areas, as more people would be incentivized to use public transport instead of private vehicles. This, in turn, would lead to improved public health and a reduced carbon footprint. Secondly, free public transport can enhance social equity by providing mobility to low-income individuals who might otherwise struggle to afford transportation costs. This increased mobility can improve access to job opportunities, education, and healthcare, potentially reducing income inequality in the long run.
On the other hand, those who advocate for user-paid public transport emphasize the importance of financial sustainability and service quality. They argue that charging users ensures a steady revenue stream, which can be reinvested in maintaining and improving the transport infrastructure. Additionally, they contend that free services might be overused or undervalued, leading to overcrowding and potential misuse of the system. User fees, they suggest, can help regulate demand and ensure that those who truly need the service have access to it.
In my opinion, a hybrid model that combines government subsidies with reasonable user fees is the most effective approach. Governments should heavily subsidize public transport to keep fares affordable for all income groups, but users should still contribute a nominal fee. This approach would ensure that public transport remains accessible to everyone while also generating some revenue for system maintenance and improvements. Moreover, it would help maintain a sense of value for the service among users, potentially reducing misuse and overcrowding.
To implement this effectively, governments could introduce tiered pricing systems based on income levels or offer discounted passes for frequent users, students, and seniors. They could also invest in technologies to make fare collection more efficient and user-friendly, such as contactless payment systems or integrated transport cards.
In conclusion, while free public transport funded entirely by government subsidies has its merits, a balanced approach that combines subsidies with user contributions is likely to be more sustainable and effective in the long run. This strategy can help create a public transport system that is accessible, efficient, and valued by all members of society.
(Word count: 398)
Essay Analysis
This essay demonstrates excellent writing skills and would likely score in the Band 8-9 range. Here’s why:
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Task Response: The essay fully addresses all parts of the task, discussing both views and clearly stating the writer’s opinion.
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Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is well-organized with clear paragraphing. Ideas are logically sequenced and cohesive devices are used effectively (e.g., “Firstly,” “Secondly,” “On the other hand”).
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Lexical Resource: The essay uses a wide range of vocabulary accurately and appropriately (e.g., “contentious,” “incentivized,” “carbon footprint,” “social equity”).
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay demonstrates a wide range of grammatical structures used accurately and flexibly (e.g., complex sentences, passive voice, conditional statements).
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Development of Ideas: Each main point is well-developed with relevant examples and explanations.
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)
The topic of whether public transport should be free or paid for by users is often debated. Both sides have good points, and I will discuss them before giving my opinion.
Some people think governments should make public transport free for everyone. This idea has some advantages. First, it would help poor people who can’t afford to pay for buses or trains. They could travel to work or school more easily. Second, free public transport might encourage more people to use it instead of driving cars. This could reduce traffic and pollution in cities, which is good for everyone.
However, others believe that users should pay for public transport. They have some good reasons too. If people pay for tickets, it gives money to improve the transport system. This could mean better buses and trains, or more frequent services. Also, if it’s free, some people might overuse it or not value it properly. This could lead to crowded buses and trains, or people using them when they don’t really need to.
In my opinion, I think a mix of both ideas is best. Governments should subsidize public transport to keep prices low, but users should still pay a small amount. This way, public transport stays affordable for most people, but there’s still some money to maintain and improve the system. It also helps people value the service more if they pay a little for it.
To make this work, governments could have different prices for different groups. For example, students, old people, and unemployed people could pay less. They could also make monthly passes cheaper for regular users. This would help make sure public transport is fair and useful for everyone.
In conclusion, while free public transport has some benefits, I believe a system where governments subsidize most of the cost but users pay a small amount is the best solution. This can help create a public transport system that works well for everyone in society.
(Word count: 329)
Essay Analysis
This essay demonstrates good writing skills and would likely score in the Band 6-7 range. Here’s why:
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Task Response: The essay addresses all parts of the task, discussing both views and stating the writer’s opinion. However, the ideas could be more fully developed.
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Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is generally well-organized, but the use of cohesive devices is less sophisticated than in the Band 8-9 essay.
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Lexical Resource: The vocabulary used is generally appropriate, but less varied and precise compared to the higher-band essay (e.g., “good points,” “some advantages,” “good reasons”).
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentences, but with less variety and sophistication than the Band 8-9 essay.
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Development of Ideas: Main points are supported with reasons and examples, but they could be more fully elaborated.
Key Vocabulary to Remember
- Subsidize (verb) /ˈsʌb.sɪ.daɪz/ – to help someone or an organization by giving them money
- Incentivize (verb) /ɪnˈsen.tɪ.vaɪz/ – to encourage someone to do something by offering them a reward
- Carbon footprint (noun) /ˈkɑː.bən ˌfʊt.prɪnt/ – the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere as a result of someone’s activities
- Social equity (noun) /ˈsəʊ.ʃəl ˈek.wɪ.ti/ – fairness in society, especially in terms of equal access to opportunities and resources
- Financial sustainability (noun) /faɪˈnæn.ʃəl səˌsteɪ.nəˈbɪl.ə.ti/ – the ability to maintain financial stability over time
- Infrastructure (noun) /ˈɪn.frə.strʌk.tʃər/ – the basic systems and services that a country or organization needs to function properly
- Tiered pricing (noun) /tɪəd ˈpraɪ.sɪŋ/ – a system where different prices are charged to different groups of customers
- Contactless payment (noun) /ˈkɒn.tækt.ləs ˈpeɪ.mənt/ – a method of paying for goods or services without physical contact between the payment device and the payment terminal
Conclusion
The topic of public transport subsidies is likely to remain relevant in IELTS Writing Task 2. To prepare effectively, practice writing essays on related topics such as:
- The environmental impact of public transportation
- Government’s role in urban planning and transportation
- The economic effects of investing in public transport infrastructure
Remember to structure your essay clearly, use a range of vocabulary and grammatical structures, and fully develop your ideas with relevant examples and explanations. Feel free to practice by writing your own essay on this topic and sharing it in the comments section for feedback and discussion. This active practice can significantly improve your IELTS Writing skills.