IELTS Discussion Essay Sample Answer

IELTS-style sample question

Some people think governments should spend more money on public transport, while others believe money should be spent on roads. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Question type explanation

Discussion Essay

Core position

Both are important, but public transport should receive priority in crowded cities because it reduces congestion and pollution.

Band 7 sample answer

Some people believe governments should invest more money in public transport, while others argue that roads deserve greater funding. Both views are reasonable because modern transport systems need to serve different groups of people. Those who support spending on roads often point out that roads are necessary for almost every part of daily life. Delivery trucks, emergency vehicles, buses, taxis, and private cars all depend on safe and well-maintained roads. In rural areas, people may not have access to trains or metro systems, so improving roads can make travel faster and safer. Better roads can also help businesses move goods more efficiently, which may support local economies. However, public transport should receive more attention in crowded cities. If buses, trains, and metro services are reliable, many people will choose them instead of driving private cars. This can reduce traffic congestion, lower air pollution, and make commuting cheaper for people who cannot afford a car. Public transport also uses road space more efficiently because one bus can carry far more people than several cars. In my opinion, governments should maintain roads because they are essential infrastructure, but new investment should prioritize public transport in urban areas. This approach would reduce congestion and pollution while still keeping roads safe and useful for people and businesses that depend on them. This means the decision should depend on location. A rural area may need safer roads first, while a large city may gain more from buses and trains. Explaining this difference makes the essay more balanced and avoids treating one solution as suitable everywhere.

Band 9 improved sample answer

There are strong arguments for funding both public transport and roads, but I believe public transport should be the main priority in densely populated areas. Transport budgets are limited, so governments need to consider which type of investment solves the largest number of problems. Supporters of road spending argue that roads are essential for economic activity and everyday mobility. Goods are transported by trucks, emergency services need clear routes, and many rural communities cannot realistically depend on trains or metro lines. If roads are badly maintained, accidents increase and travel becomes slower for both individuals and businesses. For this reason, basic road maintenance should always remain part of public spending. However, expanding roads in crowded cities often fails to solve congestion in the long term. Wider roads may temporarily improve traffic flow, but they can also encourage more people to drive. By contrast, reliable buses, trains, and metro systems can move large numbers of people efficiently while using less space and producing fewer emissions per passenger. Public transport is also more socially inclusive because it supports students, older people, and lower-income workers who may not own cars. In my view, governments should distinguish between maintaining roads and constantly expanding them. Roads must be kept safe, especially outside major cities, but the larger share of new investment should go to public transport where congestion and pollution are serious. A city with frequent, affordable, and well-connected public transport is less dependent on private cars, which benefits both commuters and the wider environment. This distinction makes the argument more precise. The issue is not whether roads matter, but whether extra spending should reduce car dependence where public transport can serve many more people.

Why the Band 9 version is stronger

The stronger answer compares both views more directly, gives a clearer personal position, and explains why one spending priority is more suitable in crowded cities.

Score analysis

How to check your own essay

Write your own answer to the same practice question, paste it into the IELTS Writing Checker, and compare the feedback against the Band 7 and Band 9 versions on this page.

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