Some people think governments should spend money on faster means of public transport. However, others think money should be spent on other priorities (eg cost, environment). Discuss both view and give your own opinion.
Sample Response
People have different views about whether money should be spent on public transport or on other more important issues. While faster means of public transport would be a positive measure, I would argue that further investment in other priorities should be made first.
On the one hand, it could be argued that providing citizens with faster forms of public transportation has brought about certain benefits. Firstly, faster forms of transport are said to allow people, particularly commuters, to reduce travelling time to and from work. As a result, people will have more leisure time, and this will lead to an increase in their work productivity. Secondly, by adopting this method, people are less likely to be packed in cramped and hot buses. They will not need to rush to get to work on time or get up so early in order to get a seat on a bus, and therefore, they will have more time to prepare before going to work or school, or to enjoy their breakfast with their family.
However, I believe that spending money on other vital aspects is more important. One of the most pressing concerns is environmental pollution. Despite the convenience that public transportation brings to commuters, more and more vehicles are being used each year and exhaust fumes emitted from those vehicles have exerted a detrimental effect on the atmosphere in most large cities. As a result, people are more susceptible to developing respiratory disease s and other kinds of health problems. Another significant issue is the increasing cost of living, which leaves many people struggling to cope with basic daily needs. If such situations are left untreated, this may lead to a decrease in economic growth, amongst other problems.
In conclusion, despite the advantages of improving the speed of public transport, I am convinced that it is better to spend money on more urgent issues, such as the environment and living costs.
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Use precise task wording Original: other more important issues Suggested revision: other priorities Why it matters: This concise phrase states the contrast more precisely without implying that all alternatives are inherently more important.
- 2. Match hypothetical time Original: has brought about certain benefits Suggested revision: can bring certain benefits Why it matters: The modal form fits a general claim about the potential effects of providing faster transport.
- 3. State the claim directly Original: are said to allow people Suggested revision: allow people Why it matters: Removing the vague reporting phrase makes the general claim more direct and economical.
- 4. Improve the collocation Original: an increase in their work productivity Suggested revision: greater productivity at work Why it matters: This is a more natural and concise way to express improved work performance.
- 5. Clarify the reference Original: by adopting this method Suggested revision: by using faster public transport Why it matters: Naming the measure removes the vague reference created by “this method.”
- 6. Use natural phrasing Original: packed in cramped and hot buses Suggested revision: packed into cramped, hot buses Why it matters: “Packed into” is the natural preposition for describing crowded vehicles.
- 7. Prefer a direct verb Original: have exerted a detrimental effect Suggested revision: harm Why it matters: The direct verb expresses the same relationship more naturally and concisely.
- 8. Name the precise effect Original: the atmosphere in most large cities Suggested revision: air quality in most large cities Why it matters: “Air quality” is more precise in a sentence about urban vehicle emissions.
- 9. Correct form and concision Original: respiratory disease s and other kinds of health problems Suggested revision: respiratory diseases and other health problems Why it matters: The plural noun needs a correct form, and “kinds of” is unnecessary here.
- 10. Use an appropriate collocation Original: If such situations are left untreated Suggested revision: If these problems are not addressed Why it matters: Problems are normally “addressed,” whereas “treated” is less suitable for both pollution and living costs.
- 11. Sentence rewrite Original: They will not need to rush to get to work on time or get up so early in order to get a seat on a bus, and therefore, they will have more time to prepare before going to work or school, or to enjoy their breakfast with their family. Suggested revision: They will not need to rush to work or get up early to secure a seat, so they will have more time to prepare for work or school or to enjoy breakfast with their families. Why it matters: The revision reduces repetition and clarifies the cause-and-effect progression while preserving the stated benefits.
- 12. Separate the two benefits Suggested revision: Organise the paragraph into a clear time-saving point followed by a comfort point, linking each point directly to its stated benefit. Why it matters: The paragraph currently shifts between travel time, productivity, crowding, preparation time, and breakfast without a consistently signposted progression.
Suggested Rewrites
- other more important issues other priorities
- has brought about certain benefits can bring certain benefits
- are said to allow people allow people
- an increase in their work productivity greater productivity at work
- by adopting this method by using faster public transport
- packed in cramped and hot buses packed into cramped, hot buses
Why this response received Band 7.5
The response presents a clear position, covers both views, and moves smoothly through well-controlled paragraphs using varied language. Its main limitation is that several supporting points are asserted rather than fully connected to the spending choice, especially the links between faster transport and comfort, or government investment and living costs. Prioritise explaining how each proposed allocation would directly produce the stated outcome, with one specific example where useful.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Response
Both views and a consistent opinion are addressed, although some supporting claims are not fully linked to the policy choice.
Develop each priority by explaining exactly how government spending would solve the identified problem.
Coherence and Cohesion
Ideas progress logically through clearly focused paragraphs, with cohesive devices used effectively throughout.
Make the internal link between each cause and consequence even more explicit where the reasoning changes direction.
Lexical Resource
Vocabulary is varied and generally precise, with effective topic language and only occasional awkward choices or a spelling slip.
Replace vague expressions such as 'method' or 'situations' with more exact policy-related nouns.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A wide range of complex structures is handled accurately, and the few errors do not impede communication.
Proofread closely for isolated agreement, spacing, and reference errors in otherwise sophisticated sentences.
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IELTS Writing Task 2
Some people think governments should spend money on faster means of public transport. However, others think money should be spent on other priorities (eg cost, environment). Discuss both view and give your own opinion.
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.