PTE Academic Write Essay · Problem and solution

Addressing Unreliable Public Transport Systems Problem Solution

A high-scoring sample essay with the plan behind it, the vocabulary that lifts it, and what the scoring traits reward.
  • 259 words
  • Problem and solution
  • beginner
  • 20 minutes

The prompt

In many cities, public buses and trains are often late or crowded. What problems does unreliable public transport cause, and what can cities do to improve it?

20 minutes. Write 200 to 300 words. A BandLadder practice prompt, not a recalled exam question.

Problem and solution

Plan before you write

  1. 1

    Position

    Unreliable public transit diminishes urban productivity and environmental sustainability, necessitating infrastructure investment and technology integration.

  2. 2

    Paragraph 2

    The consequences of inconsistent transit include reduced economic efficiency and increased reliance on private vehicles.

  3. 3

    Paragraph 3

    Cities can mitigate these issues through infrastructure expansion and the implementation of real-time tracking systems.

  • →Name one or two specific problems, not a general complaint.
  • →Match each solution to a problem and say who would carry it out.
  • →Keep problems and solutions in separate paragraphs so the structure is visible.

Model answer

Sample essay

High-scoring sample259 words. Use the structure and vocabulary, not the sentences: PTE flags memorised templates.

Urban centers frequently struggle with public transportation systems that are plagued by delays and overcrowding. This inefficiency creates significant challenges for both commuters and the environment, requiring strategic intervention from municipal authorities to restore functionality.

The primary consequence of unreliable public transit is a substantial decline in economic productivity. When buses and trains fail to arrive on schedule, employees experience increased tardiness and stress, which adversely affects professional output. Furthermore, commuters often abandon public options in favor of private automobiles to gain predictability. This shift exacerbates traffic congestion and elevates carbon emissions, undermining broader urban sustainability goals. For instance, in cities where transit systems are consistently over capacity, the resulting road congestion leads to gridlock that further delays the very buses meant to alleviate it.

To address these systemic failings, cities must prioritize targeted infrastructure investment and digital innovation. Expanding fleet capacity and adding dedicated lanes can significantly reduce the frequency of delays caused by traffic. Simultaneously, the integration of real-time monitoring technology allows passengers to plan their journeys accurately, thereby reducing frustration. For example, cities that have successfully implemented smart-tracking mobile applications report higher satisfaction rates and smoother passenger flow during peak hours, as users can adjust their schedules based on live data rather than static timetables.

In conclusion, the unreliability of public transport imposes a heavy burden on urban life, ranging from lost productivity to environmental degradation. By combining physical infrastructure expansion with modern technological solutions, municipal governments can create efficient transit networks that incentivize public usage and improve the overall quality of life for all residents.

Scoring traits

Why this scores well

This response scores highly for its logical development of ideas and precise academic vocabulary. The most common error on this prompt is failing to provide a balanced discussion that addresses both the problems and the solutions explicitly.

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8 words

Vocabulary from the essay

  • mitigate

    to make something less severe or painful

  • adversely

    in a way that prevents success or development

  • exacerbates

    to make a bad situation even worse

  • infrastructure

    the basic physical systems of a region

  • systemic

    relating to a system as a whole

  • degradation

    the process of declining to a lower state

  • gridlock

    a situation where traffic is completely stopped

  • incentivize

    to provide a motive or reward

See also the Write Essay guide.

Frequently asked questions

How long should a PTE essay be?+

Between 200 and 300 words; outside that range the form score drops to zero. This sample is 259 words, written for the 20-minute limit.

What type of essay is this?+

Problem and solution. Name one or two specific problems, not a general complaint.

What does PTE reward in the essay?+

This response scores highly for its logical development of ideas and precise academic vocabulary. The most common error on this prompt is failing to provide a balanced discussion that addresses both the problems and the solutions explicitly.

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