Task 2 · · 18 samples

Governments should spend money on railways rather than roads. To what extend do you agree or disagree with this statement?

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Plan your answer

Try your own response before reading the samples.

Ideas to explore

  • Explain how carrying many passengers in one train can reduce emissions per traveller compared with relying on individual cars.
  • Connect reliable rail services with fewer commuter car journeys, reduced congestion and improved urban air quality.
  • Acknowledge that roads provide direct access to rural areas and destinations not served by rail, so prioritising rail does not require neglecting roads.

Suggested structure

  1. Introduce the funding comparison and state clearly whether you agree.
  2. Develop the environmental argument with a cause-and-effect explanation.
  3. Add a separate argument about rail capacity, connectivity or business travel.
  4. Concede the continuing value of roads and clarify that they still require essential funding.
  5. Conclude by restating the priority and describing a balanced approach.
Useful vocabulary & examples
railway investment
Government spending on rail infrastructure or services.

Railway investment can improve the reliability of services between major towns.

well-connected services
Transport services that link effectively with other routes or places.

Well-connected services can make rail a more practical option for commuters.

road congestion
Heavy traffic that slows movement on roads.

Reliable trains may help reduce road congestion during busy commuting periods.

rural access
The ability of people in countryside communities to reach services and destinations.

Road funding remains important for rural access where railway routes are limited.

Sample answers

AI-completed learning example

257 words · Illustrative target band

In recent years, there has been considerable debate about whether governments should prioritize investment in railways over roads. I strongly agree that spending on railways is more advantageous for several reasons. Firstly, railways are significantly more environmentally friendly compared to road transport. Trains emit fewer greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide, than cars and buses. This is largely because tra…

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AI-completed learning example

354 words · Illustrative target band

Government expenditure on infrastructure is a crucial aspect of national development, and the debate over whether more funds should be allocated to railways rather than roads is an ongoing one. While I acknowledge the importance of railways in certain contexts, I largely believe that investing in roads is more beneficial due to the broader connectivity that a usable road network provides. Railways can be useful for …

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AI-completed learning example

349 words · Illustrative target band

The allocation of government funds between railway and road infrastructure is a subject of significant debate. While some argue that greater investment in railways is necessary for long-term benefits, I firmly believe that governments should prioritize road infrastructure over railways. This stance is based on the flexibility, accessibility, and immediate economic benefits provided by road networks. Railways can be …

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