Some countries invest a significant amount of money in promoting the use of bicycles. Why do you think this is the case? Does it have a positive or a negative impact on individuals and the society?

Same questionCompare 2 different answers (Band 8)

Sample Response

1

Environmental concerns and health awareness are increasingly at the forefront of public policy, motivating governmentscountries to invest heavily in promoting the use of bicycles. It seems to me that this policymove benefits almost every member of society and, therefore, the investment is justified.

2

One obvious reason for this investment is the growing recognition of the environmental benefits associated with cycling. Bicycles, as a environmentally friendlyclean and green mode of transporttransportation, produce significantly fewer carbon emissions than motor vehiclessignificantly reduce carbon emissions compared to motor vehicles. Cities like Amsterdam and Copenhagen, for instance, have successfully reduced their carbon footprint by implementing extensive cycling infrastructure and encouraging residents to cycle regularly. This shift improves local air quality, making cities more livable and sustainable, while contributingwhile simultaneously contributing to global efforts against climate change.

3

The promotion of cycling has a profoundly positive impact on public health. Regular cyclingRegular bike riding is known to improve cardiovascular health, reduce stress, and enhance overall physical fitness. In Japan, where cycling is currently widely promoted, the population experienced a noticeable decrease in obesity rates and associated health problems. This improvement in public health not only enhances individuals' quality of lifeindividual quality of life but also eases the burden on public healthcare systems, as a healthier population requires less medical intervention.

4

In conclusion, some countries' investment in promoting bicycle usethe investment in promoting bicycle use by some countries is a strategic response to environmental and health challenges. This approach not only aids in combating climate change and enhancing air quality but also promotes a healthier society. Despite potential initial challenges, the long-term benefits for individuals and society are significant, making this investment a positive and essential step towards a sustainable future.

5

Overall, the essay would likely receive a Band 8. It effectively addresses the task with a clear position, is well-organised, uses a wide range of vocabulary, and demonstrates a high level of grammatical control.

Overall assessment

Why this response received Band 8.0

The response directly answers both questions, maintains a clear positive position, and develops environmental and health benefits through fluent, well-controlled language. Its main weakness is the appended self-assessment, which is irrelevant to the task and disrupts an otherwise effective conclusion; some factual examples are also presented too categorically. Remove the grading commentary and deepen the explanation of why governments choose investment, keeping supporting claims cautious and clearly connected to the argument.

Band score breakdown

IELTS Writing Criteria Scores

TR

Task Response

7.5
Scoring rule

Both questions are answered with a clear positive judgement and relevant, extended discussion of environmental and health considerations.

Next step

Remove the self-evaluation and explain the governmental motivation for health investment as explicitly as the environmental motivation.

CC

Coherence and Cohesion

7.5
Scoring rule

The main argument progresses smoothly through focused paragraphs, but the final grading paragraph breaks the essay's logical closure.

Next step

End with the substantive conclusion and omit any commentary about the response or its likely score.

LR

Lexical Resource

8.0
Scoring rule

A broad and precise range of environmental, transport, and public-health vocabulary is used fluently with only minor repetition.

Next step

Use more cautious reporting language for unverified examples instead of presenting every claimed outcome as established fact.

GRA

Grammatical Range and Accuracy

8.0
Scoring rule

The response demonstrates a wide range of accurately controlled complex structures, with errors rare and communication consistently clear.

Next step

Refine occasional noun phrasing, such as the reference to society, while preserving the strong variety of sentence structures.

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IELTS Writing Task 2

Some countries invest a significant amount of money in promoting the use of bicycles. Why do you think this is the case? Does it have a positive or a negative impact on individuals and the society?

Your response

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