B2 First essay sample: should public transport be free?
Here is an original Part 1 essay prompt about free public transport, with a top answer (19/20) and a borderline answer (9/20) marked on all four criteria. It is part of our B2 First Writing guide; for the full method, see the FCE essay guide.
By Eleanor BennettLast updated:
How to approach this task
This is a should question, so the examiner expects you to weigh up arguments and reach a conclusion. A good plan:
- Introduction: explain why the question matters (crowded, expensive transport).
- Note 1, traffic and pollution: the main argument for free travel.
- Note 2, the cost for taxpayers: the main argument against. Remember that "free" still has to be paid for by someone.
- Your own idea: service quality, fairness for people on low incomes, or tourism.
- Conclusion: a clear answer, perhaps a compromise.
Avoid emotional statements such as "the government wastes money on stupid things". An essay persuades with reasons, not complaints.
Top answer (19/20)
The task
In your English class you have been talking about life in cities. Your teacher has asked you to write an essay.
Should public transport in cities be free for everyone?
Notes. Write about: 1. traffic and air pollution 2. the cost for taxpayers 3. ........ (your own idea)
Write your essay in 140–190 words.
Top answer177 words · estimated 19/20
In many cities, buses and trains are crowded and expensive, yet still not used by enough people. Some politicians therefore argue that public transport should be completely free. Although this idea is attractive, I believe it needs careful thought.
The strongest argument in favour is the effect on traffic and air pollution. If travelling by bus cost nothing, many drivers would probably leave their cars at home, which would mean cleaner air and fewer traffic jams during the rush hour.
However, nothing is really free. Someone has to pay for drivers, fuel and maintenance, and that money would come from taxpayers, including people who never use public transport at all. This hardly seems fair.
A further issue is quality. If the service became free and much busier, it might also become slower and less reliable, unless the city invested heavily in new vehicles and more frequent routes.
All things considered, I would support free travel for students and older people, who need it most. For everyone else, however, a cheap monthly pass seems a more realistic solution.
Examiner-style comments
- Content5/5
- Traffic and pollution, the cost to taxpayers and a well-chosen third idea (quality of service if demand rises) are all developed. The conclusion gives a definite, reasoned answer with a practical compromise.
- Communicative Achievement5/5
- The neutral, reasoned tone suits an essay for a teacher. Phrases such as 'nothing is really free' and 'This hardly seems fair' engage the reader while staying appropriate.
- Organisation5/5
- Each paragraph has a clear topic sentence and the essay moves logically from arguments for, to against, to the writer's own point. Linking is varied and natural ('therefore', 'However', 'A further issue', 'All things considered').
- Language4/5
- Accurate second conditionals ('If travelling by bus cost nothing, many drivers would…') and good collocations ('rush hour', 'invested heavily', 'realistic solution'). The range is good rather than wide, so Language is 4.
A clear, well-organised argument with accurate conditionals and a sensible conclusion.
Marks are our estimate using the public B2 First writing criteria, not an official Cambridge mark.
Borderline answer (9/20)
The task
In your English class you have been talking about life in cities. Your teacher has asked you to write an essay.
Should public transport in cities be free for everyone?
Notes. Write about: 1. traffic and air pollution 2. the cost for taxpayers 3. ........ (your own idea)
Write your essay in 140–190 words.
Borderline185 words · estimated 9/20
I think public transport must be free in all the citys. There is many reasons for this.
The first reason is the traffic. In my city the traffic is horrible, every morning there is a lot of cars and the people arrive late at work. Also the pollution is very bad for the health and for the planet, the air is very dirty and many people have problems for breathe. If the bus is free more people will use it and they will leave the car in home.
About the cost, I know that is expensive for the goverment but the goverment have a lot of money and they spend it in stupid things. So is not a problem.
Other idea is that free transport is good for the poor people because they can go to work and to the hospital without pay. For example my grandmother takes the bus every day and the ticket is expensive for her.
To conclude, public transport have to be free because it is good for everybody and for the environment. I hope the politicians will do it soon.
Examiner-style comments
- Content3/5
- All three points are mentioned, but note 2 is dismissed in two sentences ('So is not a problem') rather than discussed, so the reader does not get a real argument about cost. The third idea (help for people on low incomes) is relevant.
- Communicative Achievement2/5
- The tone becomes inappropriate for an essay: 'they spend it in stupid things' sounds like a complaint, not a reasoned argument. The opinion is clear, but the writer does not persuade.
- Organisation2/5
- Paragraphing is logical, yet the second paragraph is one long chain of comma-joined sentences. Linking is limited to 'Also', 'About the cost' and 'Other idea'.
- Language2/5
- Many basic errors: 'citys', 'There is many reasons', 'problems for breathe', 'in home', 'the goverment have', 'without pay'. Vocabulary is simple and repetitive ('very bad', 'very dirty'), though the meaning is usually clear.
The ideas are there, but one note is barely discussed and the tone and accuracy pull the mark down.
Marks are our estimate using the public B2 First writing criteria, not an official Cambridge mark.
What to copy from the top answer
- Treat both notes seriously. The top answer gives the cost argument a full paragraph, even though it is against the writer's final view.
- Use the second conditional for hypothetical policy. "If travelling by bus cost nothing, drivers would…".
- Finish with a reasoned compromise. "Free for students and older people, a cheap pass for everyone else" shows mature judgement.
- Keep emotional language out. Replace "stupid things" with something like "spending priorities could change".
Check your own answer
Write your own essay for this prompt before you look at the answers again. Then go through the B2 First writing checklist and paste your draft into the writing checker and word counter to make sure you are between 140 and 190 words. More marked answers are in our FCE writing examples.
Questions about this task
Is it OK to choose a compromise in an FCE essay?
Yes. A compromise is still a clear opinion as long as you state it directly, as the top answer does with free travel for some groups only.
Can I mention real cities or facts in my essay?
You can, but you do not need to. Examiners mark language and argument, not facts, so a general example is just as good and much safer.
Why did the borderline answer lose marks on Content?
It mentions the cost for taxpayers but does not discuss it. Every note needs real development: a reason, an example or a consequence.
Should I use 'must' or 'should' in an opinion essay?
'Should' sounds more balanced for recommendations. 'Must' is very strong and can make your argument sound like an order.