Public Transport vs Roads Investment · Government Spending
A complete IELTS Academic Writing Task 2 question with a model answer of 267 words, plus a breakdown of the sentence structures, cohesive devices and vocabulary that answer uses. Write your own version first, then compare.
Written by Manish Sharma · CELTA and DELTA qualified · 8 years teaching IELTS
Score my answer to this questionThe question
You have 40 minutes. Write at least 250 words.
Some people think that governments should invest more money in public transport such as buses and trains, rather than building new roads for car owners. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Write at least 250 words.
How to approach it
- 01State your position clearly in the introduction
- 02Use real-world examples to strengthen your arguments (cities, policies, statistics)
- 03Acknowledge the opposing view in one paragraph before countering it
- 04Ensure each paragraph has one clear central idea supported by evidence
- 05End with a strong conclusion that reinforces your main argument
Model answer
267 words in 5 paragraphs. Read it after you have written your own, not before: the point of a model answer is to show you what you missed, and you cannot miss anything you have not attempted.
In the face of growing urban congestion and environmental concerns, I strongly agree that governments should prioritise investment in public transport infrastructure over the expansion of road networks for private vehicles.
The most compelling argument for public transport investment is environmental sustainability. A single bus can replace approximately forty private cars, dramatically reducing carbon emissions per passenger journey. Cities like Copenhagen and Tokyo, which have invested heavily in efficient metro and cycling systems, have significantly lower per-capita transport emissions than car-dependent cities such as Houston or Dubai. At a time when climate targets demand urgent action, channelling funds into roads effectively encourages greater car usage and locks in higher emissions for decades.
Additionally, well-funded public transport promotes social equity. Not everyone can afford to own and maintain a car — lower-income households, elderly people, and young adults disproportionately rely on buses and trains. When governments prioritise road building, they are effectively subsidising wealthier citizens who drive, while neglecting those who depend on public systems. London's investment in affordable bus networks, for instance, has been crucial in enabling mobility for millions of residents who would otherwise be isolated.
Admittedly, roads are necessary for freight logistics and connectivity in rural regions where public transport is impractical. However, in urban areas where the majority of transport spending occurs, the evidence overwhelmingly favours investment in public systems that move more people more efficiently per unit of expenditure.
In conclusion, while road maintenance remains important, the environmental, social, and economic case for prioritising public transport is compelling. Governments that invest wisely in these systems build cities that are cleaner, fairer, and more liveable.
What this answer actually does
Measured from the text above, and compared against the other 69 answers of the same type in this library. These are counts, not band scores: they describe what the writing does, which is the part you can copy.
24 fewer than the median answer for this task type
7 words at the shortest, 31 at the longest
2 more than the median answer for this task type
carry a subordinate or relative clause
Sentence rhythm
Sentences average 20.5 words and vary by 6.9 words either side of that, running from 7 words to 31. Variation is the point. Grammatical Range and Accuracy rewards a mix of simple and complex sentences, and an answer where every sentence is the same length reads as flat no matter how correct it is. 7 of the 13 sentences here carry a subordinate or relative clause.
The cohesive devices it uses
8 in total, spread across 5 different functions. Range matters more than count: an answer that opens every paragraph with a sequencer signals its structure but never signals a relationship between ideas, and Coherence and Cohesion is marked on both.
however, while
additionally
for instance, such as
in conclusion
admittedly
Vocabulary and repetition
Ignoring grammar words, 77 per cent of the content words in this answer are distinct, and 65 per cent appear exactly once. Lexical Resource is where repetition costs the most marks, and the usual cause is not a small vocabulary but reaching for the same noun every time the topic is named.
The longest run of words copied straight from the question is 3 words. Examiners discount wording lifted from the question, so a short run here is the right outcome: the answer restates the topic in its own words rather than borrowing the question's.
What you are marked on
All four criteria carry equal weight, and your Writing band is their average rounded to the nearest half band.
Task Response
Present a clear, well-supported position throughout
Coherence & Cohesion
Logical argument structure with clear progression
Lexical Resource
Topic-specific and academic vocabulary used accurately
Grammatical Range & Accuracy
Wide range of complex structures with flexibility and accuracy
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