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3. IELTS Academic Writing Task 2: Complete Band 9 Guide, Vocabulary, Model Answer & Interactive Practice

Unlock your best IELTS Academic Writing Task 2 score with this ultra-interactive tutorial! Learn how to write high-band essays step by step, master 40+ crucial words and phrases, analyze a full Band 9 model answer, and practice with instant-feedback quizzes. Includes advanced vocabulary explanations, real IELTS topics, submission to teacher, and links to LingExam social media for even more free English lessons. Perfect for Band 6.5+ candidates aiming for academic success. - IELTS Academic Writing Task 2: Complete Band 9 Guide, Vocabulary, Model Answer & Interactive Practice - LingExam Language Academy - Lingexam.com

IELTS Writing Task 2 (Discussion) — Step‑by‑Step Tutorial | LingExam

IELTS Academic Writing Task 2 — Discussion Essay (LingExam | High‑Band Strategy with Templates & Examples)

Goal: master the classic “Discuss both views and give your opinion” prompt with a repeatable, rater‑friendly structure. You’ll learn to analyse the question, plan fast, build logically balanced body paragraphs, and conclude decisively while avoiding common traps like off‑topic ideas, one‑sided development, and imprecise thesis statements. Hover each step to reveal a gentle glow and focus your attention as you read.

12 Pro Steps to Ace the Discussion Essay

1
Identify the command words and the parts you must cover. If the prompt says “Discuss both views and give your opinion,” you must present View A, View B, and your stance. Treat “To what extent do you agree” as different; here, balance is required before your judgement. Underline the topic scope nouns, e.g., “online learning,” “public art,” or “space exploration,” to avoid drifting to related but off‑task ideas. Decide whether the sub‑topics are values‑based (e.g., fairness, culture) or outcome‑based (e.g., efficiency, costs) because that choice guides your evidence style. Mark any hidden constraints like “for young people,” “in cities,” or “in developing countries.” Promise yourself to keep opinion wording measured (e.g., “on balance,” “largely,” “overall”) rather than absolute unless the case is overwhelming. In your head, map three boxes: Intro → Body A (first view) → Body B (second view) → Opinion + Conclusion. This rapid labelling prevents you from producing a one‑sided argument that loses Task Response. A 60‑second setup now saves minutes later.
2
Rewrite the views as crisp, arguable sentences. Convert vague ideas into specific claims, e.g., “Online courses widen access but weaken peer learning” versus “Online learning is good.” Keep each claim one idea wide, not three, so your paragraph can fully develop it. Ask: Is the claim about principle (rights, fairness), practicality (cost, time), or impact (skills, health)? Pick complementary angles so the two body paragraphs don’t repeat each other. Decide your stance early: will you support one side more, or propose a conditional position? Note one concrete mini‑example for each view (a policy, a scenario, a study trend) to anchor your reasoning. Avoid extreme or unverifiable statistics; IELTS rewards plausibility and logic over invented data. If the topic is broad, limit context to what a general educated reader would accept without specialist knowledge. This analytic reframing gives you content to explain, not just describe.
3
Write a two‑part thesis. First, acknowledge why reasonable people hold View A and View B; second, state your position with measured language. Example: “While many argue that remote work boosts flexibility and productivity, others worry it erodes team cohesion; on balance, it should be encouraged for roles with measurable outputs.” Avoid listing examples in the thesis; keep it conceptual. Use stance adverbs sparingly—“largely,” “primarily,” “to a great extent”—to avoid sounding dogmatic. Keep the grammar clean: one main clause for the contrast, one for your judgement. This blueprint helps the examiner predict a coherent structure and rewards Task Response. A good thesis is not a mystery; it’s a map.
4
Use a three‑move intro: (1) context in one sentence; (2) rephrase the debate neutrally; (3) give your thesis and preview. Avoid hooks like quotations or generic history; they waste time and invite irrelevance. Keep the register formal but natural—plain verbs beat florid phrases. Do not announce the essay (“This essay will discuss…”); the structure should be visible without meta‑language. Target 40–55 words: clarity over decoration. A tight intro prevents repetition in conclusions later.
5
Follow the SEE(R) spine: Statement → Explanation → Example → Result. Start with a one‑line topic sentence framing the strongest argument of View A. Explain the mechanism: how does the cause produce the claimed benefit or harm? Add a compact, believable example (policy, workplace scenario, city case). End with a result line that links back to the question’s outcome (e.g., education quality, public health). Maintain neutral but empathetic tone—presenting a view fairly does not weaken your stance. Avoid straw‑manning; if you oversimplify, coherence suffers.
6
Choose a contrasting angle. If View A was efficiency‑oriented, make View B human‑centred (e.g., community, equity). Repeat SEE(R), but vary your connectors and verbs to avoid lexical repetition. Insert a mini concession if helpful (“Admittedly… however…”) to show critical distance. Keep topic sentences symmetrical in length and complexity so the essay feels balanced. Finish with a result line that sets up your opinion paragraph.
7
Give a reasoned judgement, not a slogan. Signal weight (“on balance,” “overall,” “in most contexts”) and specify conditions if needed (“particularly for…,” “provided that…”). Link your stance to the most persuasive mechanism you explained earlier so the opinion feels earned. Avoid abrupt flips; the reader should anticipate your view from the body logic. Keep the opinion 1–2 sentences to protect your word budget.
8
Echo, don’t expand. Summarise the core logic of both sides in one line and restate your judgement in another. Avoid recommendations unless the prompt asks; the default task wants evaluation, not policy design. Keep ~30–40 words. This close helps examiners tick Coherence & Cohesion boxes easily.
9
Aim for 4 paragraphs: Intro (3–4 sentences), Body A (5–6), Body B (5–6), Conclusion (2). If you write more, ensure each sentence advances the argument; delete fillers like “nowadays,” “in conclusion,” or repeated definitions. Stay between 260–310 words to balance depth and accuracy in 40 minutes. Quality trumps quantity once content requirements are met.
10
Use light, purposeful connectors: “first,” “in contrast,” “consequently,” “by comparison,” “on balance.” Build parallel pairs to help the examiner track contrasts (e.g., “flexibility vs cohesion,” “efficiency vs equity”). Replace long chains of conjunctive adverbs with stronger verbs (“undermines,” “facilitates,” “constrains”). Keep pronoun references tight to avoid ambiguity.
11
Prefer precise academic verbs and nouns over ornate synonyms. Use pairs like “allocate resources / opportunity costs,” “foster collaboration / curtail autonomy,” “standardised assessment / formative feedback.” Avoid rare words if you can’t control collocations. Paraphrase the question with natural transformations rather than thesaurus swaps that distort meaning. Keep collocation integrity to avoid awkwardness.
12
Mix sentence types safely: one‑clause statements for clarity, occasional complex sentences for nuance, and controlled relative clauses. Use modals for calibrated stance (“may,” “might,” “should”) and conditionals for policy effects (“if… then…”). Avoid comma splices; punctuate contrasts cleanly. Proofread for subject‑verb agreement and article use in topic nouns. Finish 2–3 minutes early for a 30‑second micro‑check.

Universal Fill‑in‑the‑Gap Template (Click to Copy)

[Introduction]
[Context one sentence]. While some argue that [View A core claim], others contend that [View B core claim]. On balance, I [your opinion in measured terms] because [primary reason] and [secondary reason/condition].

[Body Paragraph A — View A]
[Topic sentence presenting strongest rationale for View A]. This is because [mechanism/explanation]. For example, [compact, believable scenario/policy]. As a result, [clear outcome linked to the question].

[Body Paragraph B — View B]
[Topic sentence presenting strongest rationale for View B]. Specifically, [mechanism/explanation]. For instance, [compact, believable scenario/policy]. Consequently, [clear outcome linked to the question].

[Opinion + Conclusion]
On balance, [your position restated with scope/conditions]. Therefore, while [concise echo of View A] and [concise echo of View B], [final judgement].
Tip: Keep each body paragraph on one core idea. Swap italics with your own keywords and mechanisms.

Quick Micro‑Practice (Plug‑and‑Play Prompts)

• Some people believe university education should be free, while others think students should pay full tuition. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

• Many argue that public money should support the arts; others say it should prioritise essential services. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Official‑Level Task: Discussion Essay

Question: Some people believe that governments should prioritise investment in public transportation, while others argue that improving roads and highways is more important. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Write at least 250 words. You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

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Reminder: Present both views clearly, then state your opinion with justification. Keep paragraphs focused and coherent.

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Model Answer & Deep Explanation

Below is a high‑band model essay for the discussion prompt, followed by a sentence‑by‑sentence explanation of how the answer was constructed and why each choice helps your score. Hover any paragraph or step to see a gentle glow that guides your focus.

Band‑9 Style Sample
0 words

Investment choices in transport shape how people live, work and connect. While some maintain that governments should channel funds into public transport, others believe that expanding and upgrading roads must come first. On balance, authorities should prioritise reliable mass transit while improving essential road links where congestion is most acute.

Those favouring public transport typically argue that it moves far more people with fewer negative externalities. Frequent metro lines and bus corridors reduce travel time for commuters, especially in dense cities where road capacity is fixed and easily overwhelmed. Moreover, modern electric fleets cut urban air pollution and noise, improving public health and liveability. Because lower fares make mobility affordable for students and low‑income workers, public transit also advances equity; it ensures that opportunity is not limited to those who can purchase and maintain a private vehicle.

By contrast, supporters of road investment contend that roads enable freight, emergency services and rural connectivity in ways rail or buses cannot fully replicate. Many economies still depend on flexible last‑mile delivery and intercity logistics, for which well‑maintained highways are indispensable. In addition, some regions lack the density to sustain frequent transit; in such places, targeted road widening, safer junctions and smart‑traffic systems can meaningfully reduce delays and accidents. For drivers who have no viable alternative, these upgrades directly protect livelihoods and safety.

Nevertheless, public funding should tilt towards transit for most urban contexts. Mass systems deliver higher throughput per lane, stabilise travel times, and support compact development that lowers infrastructure costs in the long term. That said, a balanced programme is pragmatic: governments ought to pair flagship transit projects with modest, evidence‑based road improvements that unblock key bottlenecks for freight and emergency access.

In summary, while road enhancements remain necessary, they should not dominate budgets by default. Given the efficiency, environmental and social dividends of mass transit, cities in particular should place public transport at the centre of their investment plans, complemented by surgical road upgrades where data show clear public benefit.

1
The introduction frames transport as shaping how people “live, work and connect,” which provides neutral context without wasting words on history; it then paraphrases both views and ends with a measured thesis (“prioritise … while improving essential road links”), signalling balance and fulfilling Task Response immediately.
2
The phrase “On balance” in the thesis calibrates stance; examiners reward nuanced judgement over absolutist claims, and this adverbial signals that both perspectives will be treated fairly before a preference is stated.
3
Body Paragraph A starts with a clear topic sentence that compresses the core claim for public transport: higher capacity with fewer externalities. This sets up cohesive development following SEE(R): Statement → Explanation → Example‑style specifics → Result.
4
Lexis such as “negative externalities,” “liveability,” and “equity” offers precise academic tone without sounding obscure; these collocate naturally with urban policy and help Lexical Resource while remaining accessible.
5
Mechanistic links are explicit: dense cities → fixed road capacity → overload → transit reduces travel time. Stating the pathway shows Coherence and avoids unsupported assertions.
6
Equity is introduced as a complementary angle (fares → affordability → access to opportunity), preventing paragraph repetition and broadening the evaluation beyond speed alone, which strengthens idea development.
7
Body Paragraph B reframes the second view with different criteria—freight, emergency services, rurality—so arguments do not mirror the first paragraph. This satisfies “discuss both views” with symmetry but new content.
8
Concrete policy verbs (“widening,” “safer junctions,” “smart‑traffic systems”) give plausible specificity without invented statistics; IELTS raters prefer believable detail to fabricated numbers.
9
Topic sentences in both bodies are similar in length and structure, which subconsciously signals balance and helps the examiner navigate the argument, lifting Coherence & Cohesion.
10
The opinion paragraph restates the tilt toward transit “for most urban contexts,” adding scope; conditional language avoids overgeneralisation and shows control of stance with modals and quantifiers.
11
Throughput per lane and compact development present causal economics (capacity → reliability → lower long‑term costs), demonstrating logical progression and higher‑order reasoning rather than mere description.
12
The phrase “surgical road upgrades” compresses an idea (targeted, data‑led fixes) into a memorable metaphor that is still formal enough for academic tone, enhancing lexical variety.
13
The conclusion echoes both sides in one sentence and then states the judgement in another, avoiding new examples. This mirrors the thesis and keeps the closing tight, which examiners favour.
14
Cohesive devices are varied but light: “While… others…,” “By contrast…,” “Nevertheless…,” “That said…,” “In summary…”. This avoids repetitive linking and improves band descriptors for cohesion.
15
Grammar range is shown with controlled complex sentences and purposeful non‑finite clauses (“Given the efficiency…,” “While road enhancements remain necessary…”), which add nuance without risking accuracy.
16
Paragraph lengths are balanced (approx. 50–80 words each), hitting 260–310 words overall; this range typically allows depth while leaving time for proofreading in the 40‑minute window.
17
Topic nouns are kept consistent (“public transport,” “roads and highways,” “mass transit”), reducing pronoun ambiguity and strengthening referential cohesion throughout the essay.
18
No invented data appear; instead, the essay uses policy logic and widely known urban dynamics. This avoids credibility penalties and keeps the argument universally acceptable across contexts.
19
Register is formal yet natural; verbs like “prioritise,” “stabilise,” “complemented” and nouns like “dividends,” “bottlenecks” fit the genre, raising Lexical Resource without sounding memorised.
20
Overall, the response fully addresses both views, presents a justified position, and organises ideas logically with precise lexis—criteria aligned with Band 8/9 descriptors across TR, CC, LR, and GRA.

20 Crucial Words for the Discussion Essay (Transport Policy Topic)

Tap an item to expand. Each entry shows British & American IPA, parts of speech, word patterns, a clear context‑based definition, an example sentence with a quick meaning note, a common synonym, and the mistakes learners often make. Hover to see a subtle glow on desktop.

prioritise / prioritize/praɪˈɒrɪtaɪz/ · /praɪˈɔːrətaɪz/

Part(s) of speech: verb (T)

Word pattern(s): prioritise + noun; prioritise doing sth; prioritise A over B

Definition: to decide that something is more important and should receive resources or attention first.

Example: Governments should prioritise mass transit over road expansion in dense cities. (Meaning: give transit first place.)

Synonym: rank first, give precedence to

Common mistakes: ❌ “prioritise to” a noun → ✅ “prioritise noun”; avoid double prepositions like “prioritise on”.

infrastructure/ˈɪnfrəˌstrʌktʃə/ · /ˈɪnfrəˌstrʌktʃər/

Part(s) of speech: noun (U/C)

Word pattern(s): transport/urban/digital infrastructure; invest in infrastructure

Definition: the basic physical systems (roads, rails, power, etc.) needed for a society or economy to function.

Example: Long‑term prosperity depends on sustained investment in public transport infrastructure. (Meaning: essential systems for mobility.)

Synonym: facilities, framework

Common mistakes: Countability: use (U) when general (“infrastructure is vital”), (C) when types (“different infrastructures”).

congestion/kənˈdʒestʃən/ · /kənˈdʒestʃən/

Part(s) of speech: noun (U)

Word pattern(s): traffic congestion; congestion charge; reduce/relieve congestion

Definition: overcrowding on roads causing slow movement and delays.

Example: Bus‑only lanes are designed to keep services reliable during peak congestion. (Meaning: heavy traffic delays.)

Synonym: gridlock

Common mistakes: Don’t use plural for general meaning: say “congestion is severe,” not “congestions are severe.”

externality/ˌekstɜːˈnæləti/ · /ˌekstɜːrˈnæləti/

Part(s) of speech: noun (C)

Word pattern(s): negative/positive externalities; externality of sth

Definition: a side effect of an activity that affects others but is not reflected in market prices.

Example: Private car use imposes negative externalities like air pollution and noise. (Meaning: costs others bear.)

Synonym: side effect, spillover

Common mistakes: Avoid “external effects” in formal economics contexts; use “externalities.”

equity/ˈekwɪti/ · /ˈekwəti/

Part(s) of speech: noun (U)

Word pattern(s): equity in access; promote/advance equity

Definition: fairness in how opportunities and resources are distributed.

Example: Subsidised fares improve equity by helping low‑income commuters travel. (Meaning: fair access.)

Synonym: fairness, justice

Common mistakes: Don’t confuse with “equality.” Equity = fairness (may treat groups differently to be fair).

throughput/ˈθruːpʊt/ · /ˈθruːpʊt/

Part(s) of speech: noun (U)

Word pattern(s): high/low throughput; throughput per lane/hour

Definition: the amount of people or goods passing through a system in a given time.

Example: Metro lines offer higher throughput per corridor than private cars. (Meaning: carry more users quickly.)

Synonym: capacity, volume

Common mistakes: Not “through put”; it is one word.

logistics/ləˈdʒɪstɪks/ · /ləˈdʒɪstɪks/

Part(s) of speech: noun (U, sometimes treated as pl. in business writing)

Word pattern(s): road/urban/rural logistics; logistics network

Definition: the organised movement and storage of goods.

Example: Highways remain crucial for intercity logistics and last‑mile delivery. (Meaning: moving goods efficiently.)

Synonym: supply chain operations

Common mistakes: Use singular verb in academic style: “logistics is complex,” not “are complex.”

bottleneck/ˈbɒtlnek/ · /ˈbɑːtlˌnek/

Part(s) of speech: noun (C)

Word pattern(s): a traffic bottleneck; remove/relieve a bottleneck

Definition: a point of congestion that restricts overall flow.

Example: Signal upgrades at junctions can clear chronic bottlenecks. (Meaning: narrow points causing delay.)

Synonym: choke point

Common mistakes: Not “bottle‑neck road” as an adjective; use “bottleneck at X.”

viability/ˌvaɪəˈbɪləti/ · /ˌvaɪəˈbɪləti/

Part(s) of speech: noun (U)

Word pattern(s): assess/ensure the viability of sth; economic/financial viability

Definition: the ability to work successfully and sustainably.

Example: Low population density can undermine the viability of frequent rail services. (Meaning: feasibility long‑term.)

Synonym: feasibility

Common mistakes: Don’t say “viability to do”; use “viability of doing sth.”

subsidise / subsidize/ˈsʌbsɪdaɪz/ · /ˈsʌbsədaɪz/

Part(s) of speech: verb (T)

Word pattern(s): subsidise fares/operations; be subsidised by

Definition: to support financially to lower the cost for users.

Example: Cities often subsidise bus fares to maintain accessibility. (Meaning: pay part of the price.)

Synonym: support, fund

Common mistakes: Not “subsidiarise”; ensure spelling with “subsid‑”.

modal shift/ˈməʊdl ʃɪft/ · /ˈmoʊdl ʃɪft/

Part(s) of speech: noun phrase (C/U)

Word pattern(s): achieve/encourage a modal shift from A to B

Definition: a change in how people travel, e.g., from cars to public transport.

Example: Protected bus lanes can trigger a modal shift away from private cars. (Meaning: people switch modes.)

Synonym: mode change

Common mistakes: Use “from… to…”, not “from… into…”.

liveability / livability/ˌlɪvəˈbɪləti/ · /ˌlɪvəˈbɪləti/

Part(s) of speech: noun (U)

Word pattern(s): improve/undermine liveability; urban liveability

Definition: how pleasant and healthy it is to live in a place.

Example: Fewer car trips increase liveability by cutting noise and emissions. (Meaning: better quality of life.)

Synonym: quality of life

Common mistakes: British spelling “liveability,” American “livability”; be consistent.

emissions/ɪˈmɪʃənz/ · /ɪˈmɪʃənz/

Part(s) of speech: noun (plural)

Word pattern(s): cut/reduce emissions; vehicle/CO₂ emissions

Definition: pollutants or greenhouse gases released into the air.

Example: Electrifying buses reduces tailpipe emissions in city centres. (Meaning: fewer pollutants.)

Synonym: discharges

Common mistakes: Pair with plural verb (“emissions are rising”).

trade‑off/ˈtreɪd ɒf/ · /ˈtreɪd ɔːf/

Part(s) of speech: noun (C)

Word pattern(s): a trade‑off between A and B; accept/manage a trade‑off

Definition: a situation where gaining one thing requires giving up another.

Example: There is a trade‑off between road speed and pedestrian safety. (Meaning: improve one, harm the other.)

Synonym: compromise, balance

Common mistakes: Include the hyphen: “trade‑off,” not “trade off” as a noun.

cohesion/kəʊˈhiːʒən/ · /koʊˈhiːʒən/

Part(s) of speech: noun (U)

Word pattern(s): social/team cohesion; foster cohesion

Definition: the state of people or parts working well together.

Example: Remote work may hinder team cohesion if not managed carefully. (Meaning: togetherness.)

Synonym: unity, solidarity

Common mistakes: Not “cohesiveness” in IELTS writing unless needed; “cohesion” is standard.

feasibility/ˌfiːzəˈbɪləti/ · /ˌfiːzəˈbɪləti/

Part(s) of speech: noun (U)

Word pattern(s): test/assess feasibility; feasibility study of sth

Definition: how possible or practical a plan is.

Example: The feasibility of a new metro depends on projected ridership. (Meaning: practicality.)

Synonym: practicality

Common mistakes: Use “feasible” (adj.) correctly: “It is feasible to build…,” not “feasible build.”

retrofitting/ˈretrəʊˌfɪtɪŋ/ · /ˈretroʊˌfɪtɪŋ/

Part(s) of speech: noun (U); verb: retrofit (T)

Word pattern(s): retrofit sth with X; retrofitting of buses/buildings

Definition: adding new features to older systems to improve performance.

Example: Retrofitting buses with electric drivetrains cuts fuel costs. (Meaning: upgrade old vehicles.)

Synonym: upgrade

Common mistakes: Not “refitting” (different meaning); use “retrofit” for modernising.

cost‑benefit/ˌkɒst ˈbenɪfɪt/ · /ˌkɔːst ˈbenɪfɪt/

Part(s) of speech: adjective (attrib.)

Word pattern(s): cost‑benefit analysis/ratio

Definition: assessing whether benefits outweigh costs.

Example: A cost‑benefit analysis often favours bus rapid transit over new highways. (Meaning: benefits > costs.)

Synonym: economic appraisal

Common mistakes: Keep the hyphen when used before a noun (“cost‑benefit analysis”).

scalability/ˌskeɪləˈbɪləti/ · /ˌskeɪləˈbɪləti/

Part(s) of speech: noun (U)

Word pattern(s): ensure/improve scalability; scalability of a system

Definition: the capacity to handle growth without losing performance.

Example: Transit networks with dedicated lanes offer better scalability than adding car lanes. (Meaning: can expand effectively.)

Synonym: expandability

Common mistakes: Don’t confuse with “scale” (size); scalability = ability to grow.

stakeholder/ˈsteɪkˌhəʊldə/ · /ˈsteɪkˌhoʊldər/

Part(s) of speech: noun (C)

Word pattern(s): key/public/private stakeholders; engage stakeholders

Definition: people or groups who are affected by or can influence a decision.

Example: Planners should consult stakeholders like commuters and freight firms. (Meaning: interested parties.)

Synonym: interested party

Common mistakes: Not “stack holder.” Pronounce /steɪk‑/ not /stæk‑/.

resilience/rɪˈzɪliəns/ · /rɪˈzɪliəns/

Part(s) of speech: noun (U)

Word pattern(s): network/system resilience; build resilience to X

Definition: the ability to keep working or recover quickly from problems.

Example: Diversified transport modes increase network resilience during disruptions. (Meaning: withstand shocks.)

Synonym: robustness

Common mistakes: Spelling with “si” not “zi” in BrE (“resilience”).

harmonise / harmonize/ˈhɑːmənaɪz/ · /ˈhɑːrmənaɪz/

Part(s) of speech: verb (T/I)

Word pattern(s): harmonise standards/policies; harmonise A with B

Definition: to make systems consistent so they work together smoothly.

Example: Cities should harmonise ticketing across buses and metros. (Meaning: make compatible.)

Synonym: align

Common mistakes: Use “with,” not “to”: harmonise A with B.

allocate/ˈæləkeɪt/ · /ˈæləkeɪt/

Part(s) of speech: verb (T)

Word pattern(s): allocate funds/time to/for sth; allocate A to B

Definition: to set aside resources for a specific purpose.

Example: Governments should allocate capital to high‑impact transit corridors. (Meaning: assign resources.)

Synonym: assign, apportion

Common mistakes: Collocation: “allocate to” (recipient), “allocate for” (purpose).

mitigate/ˈmɪtɪɡeɪt/ · /ˈmɪtɪɡeɪt/

Part(s) of speech: verb (T)

Word pattern(s): mitigate congestion/impacts/risks

Definition: to make something less severe or harmful.

Example: Congestion pricing can mitigate peak‑hour traffic volumes. (Meaning: reduce severity.)

Synonym: alleviate

Common mistakes: Not followed by “against” in this sense; say “mitigate something.”

incentivise / incentivize/ɪnˈsentɪvaɪz/ · /ɪnˈsɛntɪvaɪz/

Part(s) of speech: verb (T)

Word pattern(s): incentivise sb to do sth; incentivise a shift

Definition: to motivate people to choose a particular behaviour.

Example: Discounted passes incentivise commuters to use buses more often. (Meaning: encourage through rewards.)

Synonym: encourage, motivate

Common mistakes: Use object + to‑infinitive: “incentivise people to switch,” not “incentivise to switch.”

20 Crucial Phrases & Expressions (Discussion Essay on Transport)

Expand each item to see British & American IPA, parts of speech, pattern(s), an exam‑friendly definition, a model sentence with a quick meaning gloss, a common synonym, and typical learner mistakes. Hovering on desktop adds a soft glow; everything stacks vertically for perfect mobile readability.

on balance/ɒn ˈbæləns/ · /ɑːn ˈbæləns/

Part(s) of speech: adverbial phrase (stance marker)

Word pattern(s): On balance, + clause

Definition: used to signal a measured overall judgement after weighing both sides.

Example: On balance, cities should invest primarily in mass transit while addressing critical road gaps. (Meaning: final judgement after comparison.)

Synonym: overall; all things considered

Common mistakes: Don’t write “in balance”; keep the comma after the phrase.

give precedence to/ɡɪv ˈpresɪdəns tə/ · /ɡɪv ˈpresɪdəns tə/

Part(s) of speech: verb phrase

Word pattern(s): give precedence to + noun/gerund

Definition: to treat something as more important than something else.

Example: Policymakers should give precedence to reliable buses over adding new car lanes downtown. (Meaning: rank buses higher.)

Synonym: prioritise; favour

Common mistakes: Not “give a precedence”; no article is needed.

at the expense of/ət ði ɪkˈspens əv/ · /ət ði ɪkˈspens əv/

Part(s) of speech: prepositional phrase

Word pattern(s): A at the expense of B

Definition: gaining one benefit while harming or reducing another.

Example: Building wider highways may boost car speeds at the expense of air quality. (Meaning: improves one thing, harms another.)

Synonym: to the detriment of

Common mistakes: Use “of,” not “for”: ✗ at the expense for.

strike a balance between/straɪk ə ˈbæləns bɪˈtwiːn/ · /straɪk ə ˈbæləns bɪˈtwin/

Part(s) of speech: verb phrase (idiomatic)

Word pattern(s): strike a balance between A and B

Definition: to find a compromise that reasonably satisfies competing aims.

Example: City budgets must strike a balance between freight access and clean urban air. (Meaning: keep both aims in check.)

Synonym: find a middle ground

Common mistakes: Verb is “strike,” not “make” a balance in formal writing.

be contingent on/biː kənˈtɪndʒənt ɒn/ · /bi kənˈtɪndʒənt ɑːn/

Part(s) of speech: adjective phrase

Word pattern(s): be contingent on + noun/gerund

Definition: to depend on particular conditions.

Example: The success of a metro is contingent on sufficient population density. (Meaning: depends on.)

Synonym: dependent on

Common mistakes: Use “on,” not “to”.

in the long term/ɪn ðə lɒŋ tɜːm/ · /ɪn ðə lɔːŋ tɝːm/

Part(s) of speech: adverbial phrase (time)

Word pattern(s): In the long term, + clause

Definition: over an extended future period.

Example: In the long term, transit‑oriented development lowers public infrastructure costs. (Meaning: eventually.)

Synonym: over time

Common mistakes: Keep the article “the”; ✗ “in long term.”

tilt towards/tɪlt təˈwɔːdz/ · /tɪlt təˈwɔːrdz/

Part(s) of speech: phrasal verb‑like verb phrase

Word pattern(s): tilt towards + noun/gerund

Definition: to lean in favour of one option without fully excluding others.

Example: Budgets should tilt towards mass transit in dense urban cores. (Meaning: favour somewhat.)

Synonym: lean towards; favour

Common mistakes: Not “tilt to” in formal stance; use “towards.”

be central to/biː ˈsentrəl tuː/ · /bi ˈsentrəl tu/

Part(s) of speech: adjective phrase (linking with “be”)

Word pattern(s): be central to + noun/gerund

Definition: to be the most important part of something.

Example: Reliable buses are central to equitable access to jobs. (Meaning: key element.)

Synonym: be crucial to

Common mistakes: Avoid “central of”; correct preposition is “to.”

evidence‑based/ˈevɪdəns beɪst/ · /ˈevɪdəns beɪst/

Part(s) of speech: adjective (attributive)

Word pattern(s): evidence‑based + noun (policy/decision)

Definition: guided by data and proven results rather than opinion.

Example: Evidence‑based upgrades target junctions where crashes cluster. (Meaning: data‑driven.)

Synonym: data‑driven

Common mistakes: Keep the hyphen before the noun; ✗ “evidence based policy” (missing hyphen).

last‑mile delivery/lɑːst maɪl dɪˈlɪvəri/ · /læst maɪl dɪˈlɪvəri/

Part(s) of speech: noun phrase (U/C)

Word pattern(s): enable/support last‑mile delivery

Definition: the final stage of moving goods from a hub to the end user.

Example: Well‑maintained roads remain vital for last‑mile delivery to shops. (Meaning: final transport step.)

Synonym: final‑leg distribution

Common mistakes: Keep the hyphen; ✗ “last mile delivery” (inconsistent style).

dedicated bus lanes/ˈdedɪkeɪtɪd bʌs leɪnz/ · /ˈdedɪkeɪtɪd bʌs leɪnz/

Part(s) of speech: noun phrase (plural)

Word pattern(s): introduce/expand dedicated bus lanes

Definition: traffic lanes reserved exclusively for buses to improve speed and reliability.

Example: Dedicated bus lanes protect schedules during peak hours. (Meaning: bus‑only corridors.)

Synonym: bus‑priority lanes

Common mistakes: Avoid “special buses lines”; use “bus lanes.”

peak hours/piːk ˈaʊəz/ · /piːk ˈaʊərz/

Part(s) of speech: noun phrase (plural)

Word pattern(s): during/at peak hours

Definition: the busiest times of day when demand is highest.

Example: Trains run every three minutes at peak hours to handle demand. (Meaning: rush times.)

Synonym: rush hour(s)

Common mistakes: Don’t use singular unless specific: say “during peak hours.”

public money/ˈpʌblɪk ˈmʌni/ · /ˈpʌblɪk ˈmʌni/

Part(s) of speech: noun phrase (U)

Word pattern(s): spend/allocate public money on + noun/gerund

Definition: government funds raised through taxation.

Example: Public money should be spent where benefits reach the most commuters. (Meaning: taxpayer funds.)

Synonym: taxpayer funds

Common mistakes: Not “public’s money” in formal policy contexts; prefer “public money.”

data‑driven decision/ˈdeɪtə ˌdrɪvən dɪˈsɪʒən/ · /ˈdeɪtə ˌdrɪvən dɪˈsɪʒən/

Part(s) of speech: noun phrase (C)

Word pattern(s): make/implement a data‑driven decision

Definition: a choice justified by evidence rather than speculation.

Example: A data‑driven decision would upgrade the corridor with the worst delays first. (Meaning: decision backed by data.)

Synonym: evidence‑based decision

Common mistakes: Keep the hyphen; ✗ “data driven decision.”

be indispensable for/biː ˌɪndɪˈspensəbl fə/ · /bi ˌɪndɪˈspensəbl fɔːr/

Part(s) of speech: adjective phrase

Word pattern(s): be indispensable for/to + noun/gerund

Definition: absolutely necessary to achieve something.

Example: Safe highways are indispensable for emergency services and freight. (Meaning: cannot do without.)

Synonym: essential for

Common mistakes: Prefer “for” with activities (“for logistics”); “to” with people (“indispensable to drivers”).

be aligned with/biː əˈlaɪnd wɪð/ · /bi əˈlaɪnd wɪð/

Part(s) of speech: verb phrase (passive)

Word pattern(s): be aligned with + noun

Definition: to be consistent with or supportive of a goal or standard.

Example: Fare policies should be aligned with equity objectives. (Meaning: match goals.)

Synonym: be consistent with

Common mistakes: Use “with,” not “to”.

place X at the centre of/pleɪs æt ðə ˈsentə(r) əv/ · /pleɪs æt ðə ˈsentər əv/

Part(s) of speech: verb phrase

Word pattern(s): place + noun + at the centre of + noun

Definition: to make something the main focus of a plan.

Example: Planners should place accessibility at the centre of transport investment. (Meaning: make it the priority.)

Synonym: put X at the heart of

Common mistakes: Keep the article “the centre,” not “centre of.”

pair A with B/peə wɪð/ · /per wɪð/

Part(s) of speech: verb phrase

Word pattern(s): pair A with B

Definition: to combine two actions so they support each other.

Example: Governments should pair transit projects with targeted junction upgrades. (Meaning: combine both.)

Synonym: couple; combine

Common mistakes: Not “pair A and B” when emphasising complementarity; use “with.”

be prone to/biː prəʊn tuː/ · /bi proʊn tu/

Part(s) of speech: adjective phrase

Word pattern(s): be prone to + noun/gerund

Definition: likely to experience something negative.

Example: Low‑density suburbs are prone to congestion if transit is weak. (Meaning: likely to suffer.)

Synonym: susceptible to

Common mistakes: Avoid “prone for”; use “to.”

play a pivotal role in/pleɪ ə ˈpɪvətl rəʊl ɪn/ · /pleɪ ə ˈpɪvətl roʊl ɪn/

Part(s) of speech: verb phrase

Word pattern(s): play a pivotal role in + noun/gerund

Definition: to be extremely important for a result.

Example: Pricing policies play a pivotal role in shifting travellers to buses. (Meaning: crucial function.)

Synonym: be key to

Common mistakes: Keep the article “a”; ✗ “play pivotal role.”

be geared towards/biː ɡɪəd təˈwɔːdz/ · /bi ɡɪrd təˈwɔːrdz/

Part(s) of speech: passive verb phrase

Word pattern(s): be geared towards + noun/gerund

Definition: designed for a particular purpose or group.

Example: Investment should be geared towards corridors with the worst delays. (Meaning: targeted at.)

Synonym: targeted at

Common mistakes: Don’t drop “towards” in formal writing.

in urban contexts/ɪn ˈɜːbən ˈkɒnteksts/ · /ɪn ˈɝːbən ˈkɑːnteksts/

Part(s) of speech: prepositional phrase

Word pattern(s): in urban contexts, + clause

Definition: in city environments with high population density.

Example: In urban contexts, transit typically offers higher throughput than cars. (Meaning: in cities.)

Synonym: in city settings

Common mistakes: Keep plural “contexts” when speaking generally.

a case can be made that/ə keɪs kæn bi meɪd ðæt/ · /ə keɪs kæn bi meɪd ðæt/

Part(s) of speech: reporting/hedging clause

Word pattern(s): A case can be made that + clause

Definition: a cautious way to introduce a defensible argument.

Example: A case can be made that limited road upgrades are justified for ambulances. (Meaning: reasonable claim.)

Synonym: it is arguable that

Common mistakes: Don’t use “there is a case to that”; follow with “that + clause.”

Interactive Exercise 1 — Vocabulary & Phrases (Transport Discussion)

Choose the best answer for each question. The moment you select an option, you’ll see a detailed explanation with why the correct option fits the sentence, how the distractors fail, and exam‑style tips to avoid common errors. Each item uses the crucial words and expressions from Parts 4 & 5.

Your Score
0/10 correct

1) Which option best completes the sentence?

“In dense cities, planners should ______ public transport, because it delivers higher throughput and fewer negative externalities.”

2) Choose the best expression to show a measured judgement:

“______, governments should fund transit first and tackle dangerous junctions for freight access.”

3) Pick the correct collocation with equity:

“Off‑peak discounts can advance ______ by lowering barriers to mobility for low‑income commuters.”

4) Choose the option that correctly uses contingent:

“The viability of a metro is ______ high ridership potential.”

5) Which sentence correctly uses trade‑off?

Select the most natural and accurate academic usage.

6) Best option to express cause‑and‑effect with mitigate:

“Congestion pricing can ______ peak‑hour delays without major road widening.”

7) Pick the phrase that shows cautious, evidence‑friendly stance:

“______, limited highway upgrades are justified for ambulances and freight.”

8) Choose the best collocation with allocate:

“Budgets should ______ more capital to bus‑priority corridors.”

9) Which sentence correctly uses be geared towards?

Select the most natural usage in policy writing.

10) Pick the sentence that correctly signals a compromise:

Select the best academic phrasing.

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