IELTS Writing Task 2/ Essay Topics with sample answer.
IELTS Essay # 1110 - Governments should spend money on railways rather than roads
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IELTS Writing Task 2/ IELTS Essay:
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
Governments should spend money on railways rather than roads.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.
Sample Answer 1: [Agreement]
Every government wants to ensure a safe and fast commuting experience for its citizens and an efficient transportation system for trade facilities. Thus when the question arises if a government should focus on improving its railways rather than roads, many people tend to agree. I also concur with the statement that the government should spend more money on the railway system rather than roads.
First, railways offer a safer commuting experience both for citizens and merchants. The number of road accidents and highway casualties in many countries is far higher than that of railway accidents. Thus investing in a safer mode of transportation that is also fast is a much more prudent idea for any government. Rails can carry hundreds of people and several hundred tonnes of goods at a time while road transport is not built for that. For example, some shuttle trains are many times faster than those of private cars and public buses. Thus improved railways would save valuable time while offering a safe mode of commuting for people and businesses.
Moreover, rails cause comparatively less environmental pollution. On the contrary, road vehicles are the main reason for increasing pollution all around the world. Climate change is a huge concern for every government in the world, and an efficient rail transportation system causes far less damage to the environment. Considering environmental benefits, governments should invest in railways rather than roads. For instance, many developing countries in Europe have invested heavily in developing their train system and reduced carbon emission as a result of this initiative.
In conclusion, I believe that a government - either in a developed or a developing country - should invest to build a safer, faster, greener and more reliable transportation system, and the railway, for this reason, should get an obvious priority.
Model Answer 2: [Agreement]
The allocation of funds for transportation infrastructure is a crucial decision that governments must make to facilitate the movement of people and goods efficiently. Some argue that prioritising investment in railways over roads is the more prudent approach. In this essay, I will present arguments in favour of spending money on railways and demonstrate that this strategy can yield substantial benefits for the nation.
One compelling reason to direct funds towards railways is their potential to reduce traffic congestion and ease the burden on existing road networks. As urban centres grow and populations increase, roads become increasingly congested, leading to traffic delays, increased air pollution, and higher accident rates. By developing and expanding railway systems, governments can offer an alternative mode of transportation, encouraging more people to opt for trains instead of personal vehicles. For example, in Japan, the Shinkansen high-speed rail system has significantly reduced travel times between major cities, resulting in decreased road traffic and improved overall transportation efficiency.
Moreover, investing in railways can enhance sustainability and mitigate environmental impacts. Trains are generally more energy-efficient compared to cars, trucks, and buses, which rely on fossil fuels. By promoting rail travel, governments can lower carbon emissions and contribute to global efforts to combat climate change. For instance, in several European countries, governments have invested heavily in modernizing and expanding their railway networks to encourage eco-friendly transportation choices, resulting in decreased carbon footprints and a cleaner environment.
Finally, prioritising developing railways has the potential for spurring economic development and regional connectivity. Efficient and well-connected rail networks facilitate the movement of goods and people between different regions, promoting trade and commerce. This, in turn, attracts investments and creates job opportunities in various sectors. For instance, in China, the extensive development of high-speed rail lines has played a pivotal role in connecting remote regions to major economic hubs, fostering economic growth, and reducing regional disparities.
In conclusion, directing government funds towards railway infrastructure presents numerous significant benefits, including alleviating traffic congestion, reducing environmental impact, and fostering economic development. By investing in railways, governments can create a more sustainable, efficient, and interconnected transportation system that benefits both citizens and the environment.
Model Answer 3: [Disagreement]
The allocation of government funds for transportation infrastructure is a critical decision that requires a comprehensive analysis. While some argue in favour of investing more in railways than roads, I tend to oppose the idea. In this essay, I will present arguments against the exclusive focus on railways and demonstrate that investing in roads is often more important.
One primary reason for advocating investment in roads is their versatility and accessibility. Roads provide a convenient and flexible mode of transportation, allowing direct access to various locations, including remote areas that may not be connected by rail networks. In regions with dispersed populations and limited railway coverage, well-maintained roads ensure that communities have adequate access to essential services, such as healthcare and education. For instance, in rural areas of developing countries, roads are often the lifeline for transporting goods and connecting communities, facilitating economic activities and social interactions.
Furthermore, investing in roads can enhance the transportation of goods and bolster trade and commerce. Roads provide an efficient means of transporting goods over shorter distances, offering businesses greater flexibility and reducing logistics costs. For instance, in many countries, a significant portion of freight transport relies on trucks and other road-based vehicles, making roads crucial for ensuring the smooth movement of goods between industries and markets.
Finally, investing in road infrastructure supports various forms of transportation, including private cars, buses, and motorcycles. This inclusivity ensures that people from all walks of life, including those who cannot easily access railways, have reliable and accessible transportation options. For instance, public buses often play a vital role in providing affordable and convenient transportation for many individuals, particularly in cities with limited or no rail systems.
In conclusion, focusing exclusively on the railway system at the expense of roads would be a shortsighted approach to transportation development. Roads play an equal, and sometimes more, crucial role in providing accessibility, promoting trade, and supporting various forms of transportation.
Sample Answer 4: [Partial Agreement]
Some people believe that the government should invest more money in the rail system and build more railroads rather than diverting funds to improving highways and road transportation systems. I partially agree with the statement, but I also believe that the decision of building railways or roads should be made based on the geography of the country.
It is understandable why some people opine that a government should expand more railroads rather than roads and streets. Firstly, it is obvious that when a country has extensive rail networks, it will positively affect the logistic cost. The selling price of many goods would be cheaper since a single locomotive could carry tonnes of crops, goods or liquor. Secondly, by building integrated subway stations in city areas, traffic congestion could be avoided. For example, as Singapore has a very good train network, called MRT, people rarely drive their vehicles. As a result, Singapore is free from traffic congestion and air pollution.
But a government needs to do some feasibility studies about the geological conditions of an area before planning to improve railroads. It is a fact that some areas might not be suitable for railways, as those areas might have swamps or rocky mountains, for example. If the government finalise building railway networks, the investment cost might be unreasonably high. For instance, Borneo in Indonesia is one of the largest islands in the world, but most of the areas are swamps. So it is not suitable for railroads but good for an integrated water and road transportation system.
In conclusion, a government should invest in constructing railroads where applicable, but should also analyse thoroughly before spending money solely on railways. The authority needs to ensure that their areas are suitable for rail networks. Otherwise, road transport should get priority.
[By - Darwin Lesmana]
As far as safety is concerned, the railway system offers safer communing for both passengers and goods. The number of road accidents and highway casualties is higher than that of railway accidents. Thus investment in a safer way of transportation for goods and passengers could be a much more prudent idea. On the other hand, the price is one of the other key factors in transportation. Moreover, trains can carry hundreds of people and several tonnes of goods at a time while buses, trucks and private cars can carry only a few. Therefore, railway transportation decreases the total cost of transport and could be beneficial for people and governments alike.
Finally, from the environmental point of view, road-based transportations produce more greenhouse gases and cause more air pollutions than railway transportation systems. They are contributing to global warming which threatens our life on earth.
In conclusion, safety, speed, price, and environmental issues are important factors for passenger and goods transportation. As far as these factors are concerned, railway transportation could be considered as the safest, fastest, cheapest, and cleanest form of transportation. So I believe the government would invest more in railways than roads.
Firstly, nowadays, the population has been drastically increasing at such a speed that in many countries governments have faced the issue of overpopulation. On the other hand, various types of public transportation systems like buses, monorails, and subways can’t respond to the needs of residents in overcrowded areas. Thus rich people have to buy their own cars to fulfil their requirements. City-dwellers need more roads rather than railways, hence governments should make plans in order to develop and expand roads. The other problem associated with extending railways is the matter of accessibility. Trains are not accessible from all areas which are hard to reach including the top of the mountains and bottom of valleys. So, how can residents who live in such areas travel to other regions? So, the best approach to solve this problem is building roads instead of railroads.
Although trains are a good transportation system for carrying huge cargoes and even large number of people between certain destinations, they have some serious disadvantages. From the environmental point of view, trains that travel long distances use coal or gasoline as their fuel. Burning these fuels produce lots of greenhouse gasses like carbon dioxide which has a negative impact on global warming. Furthermore, railways need a strong foundation, which costs much, in order to withstand the weight of trains and their loads for years. Even a small amount of changes in the vertical or horizontal direction may result in the deflection of trains from their route.
On the other hand, the costs of building roads are insignificant in comparison with railways. Therefore, it would be better for governments to invest their budgets to develop more roads instead of railroads.
To conclude, the governments should assign budgets for building roads rather than railways considering the benefits it can bring.
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