CELPIP Writing Task 2: Responding to Survey Questions

CELPIP Writing Task 2 Sample Answer: Transportation Improvement Survey

By Rita

Time

26 minutes

Length

150–200 words

Structure

Choose Option A or B and support it

The question

Your city is planning to improve its public transportation system to make commuting easier. Some people believe that expanding bus and train routes is the best solution, allowing more areas to have access to public transit. Others argue that the focus should be on reducing fares, making public transportation more affordable for everyone. Due to budget constraints, the city can only prioritize one improvement.

Which option do you prefer? Why?

-Option A: Expand bus and train routes to reach more areas.

-Option B: Reduce public transportation fares to make commuting cheaper.

Excellent answer: around CLB 11–12

I strongly advocate for Option A, as expanding public transit networks maximizes accessibility and long-term urban sustainability. Limited transit routes force residents to rely on personal vehicles, contributing to traffic congestion and pollution. By extending bus and train services to underserved areas, the city can encourage greater use of public transportation, reducing overall carbon emissions. Although fare reductions are beneficial, they do not address accessibility issues. A well-connected transit system ensures efficiency and equity, making it the most impactful investment for urban development.

83 words

Good answer: around CLB 7–8

I prefer Option A because expanding public transportation routes benefits more people. First, many areas have limited access to buses and trains. Adding more routes would allow more residents to rely on public transportation. Second, better public transport coverage would reduce traffic congestion and air pollution, making the city more livable. While lower fares would help some, expanding routes ensures that more people can use public transit in the first place.

71 words

Basic answer: around CLB 4–5

I choose Option A because more bus and train routes make it easier for people to get around. Some places don’t have any buses or trains, so adding routes helps folks there, like kids going to school or workers heading to jobs. It also means fewer cars on the road, which cuts down traffic and dirty air. Lower fares are nice, but if the buses don’t reach you, the price doesn’t matter. Option A is better because it helps more people travel every day.

84 words

The CLBs are estimates of the level each sample was written at, not official CELPIP scores. How we estimate CLB