March 2025

Essay Question

The cost of public transport has been rapidly rising over the past decade. What are the reasons for this? What are some possible solutions?

Band 8 Answer

In recent years, public transportation has become significantly more expensive. This surge in cost has placed a considerable strain on urban residents, with commuting expenses taking up a substantial part of their monthly earnings. I believe that both inflation and less-than-ideal government policies are key contributors to this problem.

One major factor behind the increase is inflation, which affects nearly all goods and services, including public transit. This may be partly due to the growing costs of fuel and the overall expense of operating transportation systems. Additionally, government policies often lead to rising fares. Public transport pricing is typically regulated to recover the expenses of maintaining and overseeing the network, but inefficiencies in government spending often drive these fares up. For example, when public transport infrastructure is outsourced to private firms for upkeep or repairs, these contractors may inflate their prices, knowing the government is likely to pay without strict budget constraints.

There are, however, several ways to ease this financial pressure. One approach is to offer discounted or subsidized tickets to vulnerable groups such as students, the elderly, and people from low-income backgrounds. Another solution would be for governments to explore more cost-effective and environmentally friendly transport alternatives, such as electric or solar-powered vehicles. These sustainable options not only reduce emissions but also tend to be cheaper to operate and maintain in the long run.

To sum up, while the rising cost of public transportation may be unavoidable due to economic trends and policy shortcomings, steps can still be taken to lessen its impact. Targeted subsidies and the adoption of greener technologies could significantly reduce the financial burden on the population.

Teacher’s feedback:

Your essay is a solid example of Band 8 writing.

Task Response: Band 8
You address both parts of the question effectively, providing clear reasons for the rising cost of public transport and offering feasible solutions. Your explanation of inflation and government inefficiencies shows good insight, and your solutions are practical and relevant. To strengthen your response further, you could briefly acknowledge other potential causes, such as urban expansion or increased demand, to show a more nuanced understanding.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 8
Your essay is well-structured, with a logical progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a clear focus and is linked smoothly to the next. You use cohesive devices such as “additionally,” “for example,” and “to sum up” effectively. A slightly smoother transition between the problem and solution sections could enhance the overall flow.

Lexical Resource: Band 8
Your vocabulary is appropriate and varied. Expressions like “placed a considerable strain,” “less-than-ideal government policies,” and “cost-effective and environmentally friendly transport alternatives” demonstrate strong lexical control. To push toward a higher score, consider incorporating more idiomatic or advanced collocations (e.g., “fiscal mismanagement” or “long-term cost-saving measures”).

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 8
You show a good command of grammatical structures, with a mix of simple, compound, and complex sentences. For instance, “Public transport pricing is typically regulated to recover the expenses of maintaining and overseeing the network, but inefficiencies in government spending often drive these fares up,” is well-constructed. Your sentence structures support clarity and precision throughout.

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