Some people believe that the government should spend money on building train and subway lines to reduce traffic congestion. Others think that building more and wider roads is the better way to reduce traffic congestion. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

7.5 / 9

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Introduction

It is often argued that governments should invest in train and

subway

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lines to reduce

traffic

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congestion

Use synonyms

while

Linking Words

others believe that building more and wider

roads

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would be more effective. Both views have some valid points.

However

Linking Words

, I personally favour greater investment in

rail

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transport

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because it can reduce reliance on private

vehicles

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and move large numbers of

commuters

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efficiently.

Body paragraph 1

On the one hand, I believe that governments should give greater priority to train and

subway

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systems. One important advantage is that reliable

rail

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services can reduce people's reliance on private

vehicles

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. When

commuters

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have a convenient alternative, they can travel to work without driving for the entire journey.

For instance

Linking Words

, an office worker living in a residential area could take a bus to a nearby station and complete the rest of the journey by

subway

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. In

this

Linking Words

way, fewer cars would be needed on busy urban

roads

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each day.

Rail

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transport

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also

Linking Words

has a much greater passenger-carrying capacity than private

vehicles

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. A frequent

subway

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service,

for example

Linking Words

, can move thousands of

commuters

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through a busy city centre during peak hours.

This

Linking Words

can reduce pressure on

roads

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and lower the demand for parking, making

rail

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investment a useful long-term use of public funds.

Body paragraph 2

On the other hand

Linking Words

, some people consider

road

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expansion a more practical solution. Giving

vehicles

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additional space can improve

traffic

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flow, particularly during busy periods. If a major two-lane

road

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is widened to four lanes,

for example

Linking Words

, more

vehicles

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can travel along it at the same time, which may shorten journeys in the short term. Wider

roads

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are

also

Linking Words

necessary in smaller towns and locations without

rail

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services because buses, delivery

vehicles

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and emergency services depend on them.

Nevertheless

Linking Words

this

Linking Words

approach may have limitations in major cities. Easier driving can encourage more people to use private

vehicles

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, so the initial improvement may gradually disappear as

traffic

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increases. In some cases,

congestion

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may simply shift to another

road

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or junction rather than disappear completely.

For

Linking Words

this

Linking Words

reason,

road

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construction can be useful where

rail

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transport

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is impractical, but it is less likely to provide a lasting solution to

congestion

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in densely populated cities.

Conclusion

In conclusion,

although

Linking Words

wider

roads

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can improve

traffic

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flow in some locations, I believe that greater priority should be given to train and

subway

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systems. Their ability to reduce private-car use and

transport

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large numbers of

commuters

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makes them a more sustainable approach to

congestion

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, particularly in densely populated cities.

abubakker.siddique898

Sep 30, 2026

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Task response

You cover both sides and give a clear view. To make your answer even stronger, say more about when new roads are the best choice, such as places far from a train line or areas with few people.

Task response

Your main points are clear and well explained. You could add one more clear reason why trains help, such as less air pollution or less need for car parks.

Task response

Your examples fit your ideas well. You could make one example more real by naming a kind of city area, for example a busy work area with many offices.

Coherence and cohesion

Your essay has a very clear shape: opening, one side, the other side, and ending. Keep this clear order in future essays.

Coherence and cohesion

The links between ideas are smooth and easy to follow. You use words such as “For instance”, “Nevertheless”, and “For this reason” well. Try not to use too many linking words in one long sentence.

Coherence and cohesion

Most paragraphs stay on one main idea. The first body paragraph has two close ideas about trains; this works well, but you could use a short link sentence to show that both ideas support the same point.

Task response

You answer every part of the question and clearly state that train and subway systems should get more public money.

Task response

Your ideas are balanced: roads can help in some places, but trains are a better long-term answer in large cities.

Coherence and cohesion

Each paragraph has a clear main point, and the ending matches the view in the opening.

Coherence and cohesion

Your examples help the reader understand your ideas, especially the worker who uses a bus and then a subway.

Word Count

IELTS says that you should write a minimum of 250 words in writing task 2. If you go under word count you will lose marks in task response.

A very long essay will not give you a higher band score.

Aim for between 260 to 290 words in writing task 2. This will ensure a concise essay and will be realistic in terms of time management. You have only 40 minutes to write the essay and you need around 10 minutes of planning time, so you will not be able to write a long essay in 30 minutes.

Discover more tips in The Ultimate Guide to Get a Target Band Score of 7+ »- a book that's free for 🚀 Premium users.

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10
Linking words
meeting the goal of 7 or more
9
Word repetition
meeting the goal of 3 or fewer
0
Grammar mistakes
detected issues

0123456789.0505

Overall Band Score

Coherence and Cohesion: 6.0

Logical structure

Introduction & conclusion present

Supported main points

Accurate linking words

Variety in linking words

Lexical resource: 6.0

Varied vocabulary

Accurate spelling & word formation

Grammatical Range: 9.0

Mix of complex & simple sentences

Clear and correct grammar

Task Achievement: 8.0

Complete response

Clear & comprehensive ideas

Relevant & specific examples

Appropriate word count

4 paragraphs

405 words

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Some people believe that the government should spend money on building train and subway lines to reduce traffic congestion. Others think that building more and wider roads is the better way to reduce traffic congestion. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

In some countries, there is not enough recycling of waste materials (e.g. paper, glass, and cans). What are the reasons and what can be done to solve this problem?

In recent years, the rise of ebooks causes the decline in paper books. Some people argue this is a good step forward while others do not. What are the advantages and disadvantages?

More and more students choose to move to other countries to study their higher education. Do you think the advantages of this outweigh its disadvantages?

Nowadays the way many people interact with each other has changed because of technology. In what ways has technology affected the types of relationships that people make? Has this been a positive or negative development?