[Discussion] Sample: Bullet trains vs Public transport

In a number of countries, some people think it is necessary to spend large sums of money on constructing new railway lines for fast trains between cities. Others believe the money should be spent on improving existing public transport. Discuss both views and give your opinion. 

People’s view differ whether the construction of new express rail or remodeling of existing public transport system should receive funding from the government. I believe that an equal amount should be spent for both types of mass transit system. 

On the one hand, spending money on high-speed rail would be advisable for several reasons. For one, this form of transit would connect provinces with one another, further promoting urbanization and industrialization. In detail, inhabitants from distant provinces would be able to commute to financial capitals for employment, while industrial parks in the outskirts could easily be reached by citizens from the suburbs. Furthermore, it is generally safer for people to take these trains over long distance trips than coaches, which share the road with other vehicles which are more prone to accidents.

On the other hand, current public transportation would also benefit greatly from financial support. While bullet trains are suitable for longer trips, inner city commute is impossible without buses or subway. However, many people in developing country such as Vietnam stick to their mopeds mainly because buses in their country are inflexible and rundown. With more funding, more bus lines can be established, which means citizens would not have to wait a long time between transfers. Moreover, remodeling the vehicle’s interior would provide more comfort as well as promote a sense of cleanliness for the general public, which in turn encourage them to use these services more. 

In conclusion, while spending money on high-speed rail is necessary for long distance commute, I believe it is just as important for current public transportation to receive funding for continual improvements. 

270 Words – Band 8.0

Vocabulary:

Synonyms

Fast trains – express rail, high-speed rail, bullet trains 

Existing – current, in use (adv), being used right now 

Public transportation – public transit service, mass transit system

• Urbanization (n) /ˌɜːrbənaɪˈzeɪʃən/:
  • Vietnamese definition: Đô thị hóa
  • Example sentence: “Urbanization is transforming rural areas into urban landscapes.”
  • Vietnamese translation: “Đô thị hóa đang biến đổi các vùng nông thôn thành cảnh đô thị.”
• Industrialization (n) /ɪnˌdʌstriəlaɪˈzeɪʃən/:
  • Vietnamese definition: Công nghiệp hóa
  • Example sentence: “The process of industrialization has led to technological advancements.”
  • Vietnamese translation: “Quá trình công nghiệp hóa đã dẫn đến sự tiến bộ về công nghệ.”
• Industrial parks (n phrase) /ɪnˈdʌstriəl pɑːrks/:
  • Vietnamese definition: Khu công nghiệp
  • Example sentence: “Industrial parks play a crucial role in fostering economic development.”
  • Vietnamese translation: “Khu công nghiệp đóng vai trò quan trọng trong việc thúc đẩy phát triển kinh tế.”
• Suburbs (n) /ˈsʌbɜːrbs/:
  • Vietnamese definition: Ngoại ô
  • Example sentence: “Many people choose to live in the suburbs for a quieter lifestyle.”
  • Vietnamese translation: “Nhiều người chọn sống ở ngoại ô để có một lối sống yên bình.”
• Inner city commute (n phrase) /ˈɪnər ˈsɪti kəˈmjuːt/:
  • Vietnamese definition: Việc di chuyển từ nội thành
  • Example sentence: “The inner city commute can be time-consuming due to traffic congestion.”
  • Vietnamese translation: “Việc di chuyển từ nội thành có thể tốn thời gian do tình trạng tắc nghẽn giao thông.”
• Inflexible (adj) /ɪnˈflɛksəbl/:
  • Vietnamese definition: Không linh hoạt, cứng nhắc
  • Example sentence: “An inflexible schedule can make it challenging to adapt to changes.”
  • Vietnamese translation: “Lịch trình không linh hoạt có thể làm khó khăn trong việc thích nghi với sự thay đổi.”
• Rundown (adj) /ˈrʌndaʊn/:
  • Vietnamese definition: Xuống cấp, xuống tình trạng kém
  • Example sentence: “The building has become rundown and is in need of renovation.”
  • Vietnamese translation: “Tòa nhà đã trở nên xuống cấp và cần được tái tạo.”
• Transfers (n) /ˈtrænsfərz/:
  • Vietnamese definition: Chuyển giao, chuyển nhượng
  • Example sentence: “Employee transfers can facilitate knowledge exchange between teams.”
  • Vietnamese translation: “Chuyển nhượng nhân viên có thể tạo điều kiện thuận lợi cho việc trao đổi kiến thức giữa các nhóm.”
• Remodeling (n) /ˈriːˌmɒdəlɪŋ/:
  • Vietnamese definition: Sự tu sửa, tái tạo
  • Example sentence: “Remodeling the kitchen can add value to a home.”
  • Vietnamese translation: “Tu sửa nhà bếp có thể tăng giá trị cho căn nhà.”
• Cleanliness (n) /ˈklɛnlɪnəs/:
  • Vietnamese definition: Sự sạch sẽ
  • Example sentence: “Maintaining cleanliness is essential for a healthy living environment.”
  • Vietnamese translation: “Giữ gìn sự sạch sẽ là quan trọng để có một môi trường sống lành mạnh.”