This Band 5 IELTS Writing Task 2 essay on public funding addresses both views but struggles with coherence and structure. While the writer attempts to discuss the allocation of funds for essential services versus arts, the arguments lack depth and clarity, resulting in an underdeveloped opinion. Discover how to enhance your writing with better organization and clearer examples.
IELTS Writing Task 2 Question
Discuss both views Β· City Life Β· 40 min
Some people believe that city governments should allocate public funds only to essential urban services such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure. Others argue that investment in arts, culture, and entertainment is equally important for enhancing the quality of urban life.
Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Write at least 250 words.
Score Breakdown
IELTS Writing Band Scores (1β9)
Summary: The essay meets the minimum word count (284 words) and attempts to address both views as required, but it lacks depth, clear structure, and development. The discussion is superficial, with simplistic examples and a weak personal opinion. Significant issues with coherence, vocabulary, and grammar lower the overall quality. The essay would benefit from more balanced argumentation, better paragraph organization, and improved language accuracy.
Now write your own β and see how your verdict holds up.
Submit your City Life essay and receive AI scores across Task Response, Coherence, Lexical Resource, and Grammar β plus a Band 9 model answer for your exact question.
There is no end about the argument directed to the government, everyday there is something new about that. And right now, we specifically talk about the allocate public funds. Are they just for essential urban services such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure? or are they can be use for invesment in arts, culture, and entertainment that important for enhancing the quality of urban life?
First, some people believe that city governments should allocate it only to essential urban services. I think they believe in that because of the lack of the essential urban services that currently available. They just want to be easier to access that kind of services. For example, about healthcare or hospital, if it scattered everywhere, everyone can easier to go there if suddenly they need fast handling. The fact is, there are some places that still don't have that near their houses. So, if it builded near their house it get easier for them and everyone.
For the second thought, investment in arts, culture, and entertainment is really important for some people. stuff" title="Correction: People who love that kind of stuff">People who loves that kind of stuff is being happy just for go to places like that. And it's good for mental health too. In my case, I always love that kind of entertainment things, so I love this thought. But actually I don't go outside that much, I just love to lie on my bed and watching movies or listening to some music, and sometimes I also draw and paint.
So, my opinion about this discussion is, if the city governments handle the public funds with the right way, they can do and maximilize both so everyone can be happy and the city health rates is improve.
AI Feedback Report Details
Spelling Β· Grammar Β· Vocabulary Β· Criteria Analysis
Spelling Mistakes
3 errors| Misspelled Word | Corrected Word |
|---|---|
| invesment | investment |
| maximilize | maximize |
| builded | built |
Grammatical Mistakes
17 errors| Mistake | Correction | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| There is no end about the argument | There is no end to the argument | Preposition misuse: 'about' should be 'to' in this context. |
| everyday there is something new | every day there is something new | Adverbial phrase 'every day' should be two words; 'everyday' is an adjective meaning ordinary. |
| the allocate public funds | the allocation of public funds | Incorrect verb form; should be a noun 'allocation' or gerund 'allocating'. |
| or are they can be use | or can they be used | Double modal and incorrect verb form; restructure to 'can they be used'. |
| that important for enhancing | that are important for enhancing | Missing verb 'are' in relative clause. |
| services that currently available | services that are currently available | Missing verb 'are'. |
| They just want to be easier to access that kind of services | They just want easier access to that kind of service | Awkward phrasing; use 'easier access to' instead of 'to be easier to access' and singular 'service' for consistency. |
| if it scattered everywhere | if it is scattered everywhere | Missing verb 'is' to form passive participle. |
| everyone can easier to go there | everyone can go there more easily | Incorrect adverb form; 'easier' should be 'more easily' after a verb. |
| if it builded near their house | if it is built near their house | Incorrect past participle 'builded' should be 'built'; also missing 'is'. |
| it get easier for them | it gets easier for them | Subject-verb agreement: 'it' singular requires 'gets'. |
| People who loves that kind of stuff | People who love that kind of stuff | Subject-verb agreement: 'people' plural requires 'love'. |
| is being happy just for go to places | are happy just by going to places | Subject-verb 'people' plural requires 'are'; 'for go' should be gerund 'by going'. |
| I always love that kind of entertainment things | I always love those kinds of entertainment activities | Plural agreement: 'that kind of' singular but 'things' plural; use 'those kinds of' and 'activities'. |
| with the right way | in the right way | Preposition misuse: 'with' should be 'in' for manner. |
| do and maximilize both | achieve and maximize both | Verb 'do' is vague; 'achieve' is more appropriate. Also spelling of 'maximilize' corrected. |
| the city health rates is improve | the city's health rates improve | Subject-verb agreement: 'rates' plural require 'improve' (verb) or 'are improved'; also possessive needed. |
Vocabulary Improvements
4 suggestions| Original Word/Phrase | Improved Word/Phrase | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| stuff | activities | 'Stuff' is informal; 'activities' is more precise and academic. |
| entertainment things | entertainment activities | 'Things' is vague; use 'activities' for clarity. |
| do | achieve | 'Do' is vague; 'achieve' is more specific and formal. |
| fast handling | prompt medical attention | 'Fast handling' is informal and ambiguous; 'prompt medical attention' is clearer in context of healthcare. |
Ready to practise? Get instant AI feedback on your verdict.
Submit your City Life essay and receive AI scores across all four IELTS criteria β with specific feedback on whether your solutions are specific, realistic, and matched to your problems.
Detailed Criteria Feedback
AI-powered analysis for each scoring criterion
Task Response5
Evaluation
The essay addresses the prompt by presenting both views and giving an opinion, but the discussion is underdeveloped. The first view (essential services) is supported only with a brief example about hospital accessibility; the second view (arts, culture, entertainment) is reduced to a personal preference with no real argument. The opinion is vague and does not logically follow from the points made.
Examples
The first body paragraph focuses on 'lack of essential services' but fails to explain why only public funds should be allocated there. The second body paragraph is mostly personal anecdote ('I always love that kind of entertainment... I don't go outside that much'), which is irrelevant to the argument.
How to Improve
Develop each view with clear reasoning and specific, relevant examples. For the first view, discuss why essential services must be prioritized (e.g., public health, safety, basic rights). For the second view, explain how arts and culture contribute to mental well-being, tourism, and community identity. Ensure the opinion is logically connected to the discussion and provides a balanced conclusion.
Coherence & Cohesion4.5
Evaluation
The essay lacks a clear logical structure. There is no proper introduction or conclusion; the opening sentence is confusing ('There is no end about the argument directed to the government'). Paragraphs are poorly separated (the first 'paragraph' is one long sentence). Cohesive devices are minimal and repetitive ('First', 'For the second thought', 'So').
Examples
The essay begins with an unrelated general statement, then suddenly introduces the topic. The transition between views is abrupt ('For the second thought...'). The final paragraph attempts to give an opinion but is disconnected from earlier points.
How to Improve
Use a clear four-paragraph structure: introduction stating the two views and your stance, one paragraph for the first view, one for the second, and a conclusion. Use a range of linking words (e.g., 'On the one hand', 'In contrast', 'Therefore') and ensure each paragraph has a clear topic sentence and supporting details.
Lexical Resource4.5
Evaluation
The vocabulary is very limited and informal. Many words are repeated ('easier', 'stuff', 'love'), and there are frequent errors in word choice and collocation (e.g., 'allocate public funds', 'builded', 'maximilize', 'invesment'). The essay does not demonstrate a range of topic-specific vocabulary.
Examples
'There is no end about the argument' should be 'The debate continues about...'; 'they can be use for' should be 'they can be used for'; 'if it builded' β 'if it were built'; 'maximilize' β 'maximize'.
How to Improve
Build a stronger lexical range by learning synonyms for common words (e.g., 'allocate', 'fund', 'essential', 'enhance', 'prioritize'). Use formal academic vocabulary related to urban planning, public spending, and quality of life. Avoid informal expressions like 'stuff' or 'love' β replace with 'facilities', 'appreciate', or 'benefits'.
Grammatical Range & Accuracy4.5
Evaluation
The essay contains numerous grammatical errors that affect clarity. Sentence structures are mostly simple and often incorrect. There are issues with verb tenses, subject-verb agreement, conditionals, and word forms. Only a few complex sentences are attempted, and they are flawed.
Examples
'everyday there is something new about that' (run-on, unclear); 'I think they believe in that because of the lack' (redundant); 'if it scattered everywhere' (missing verb 'is'); 'if the city governments handle the public funds with the right way, they can do and maximilize both so everyone can be happy' (incorrect conditional, wrong verb form, missing article).
How to Improve
Review basic grammar: tenses (present simple, conditional), subject-verb agreement ('governments handle' β correct but 'funds' plural, so 'handle' is fine, but check consistency), and use of articles. Practice writing compound and complex sentences with correct subordination (e.g., 'Although some argue that... I believe that...'). Proofread for common errors like missing verbs, incorrect prepositions, and word forms.
Tip: Review the Band 9 model answer to see how a high-scoring essay structures arguments, uses advanced vocabulary, and maintains coherence throughout.
RELATED ESSAYS
01
Some people believe that the purpose of museums is to educate people, while others think that museums should be enjoyable places to entertain people. What is your view on this issue? Discuss both sides and give your own opinion. Write at least 250 words.
When travelling to another country, museums are often serves as a spot or a destination for that certain area. Museums offers education and entertainment. It do...
02
Some people in different countries earn very high incomes. While some people think that this is beneficial for the nation, others believe that the government should limit how much money people can make. Discuss both views and give your own opinion. Write at least 250 words.
An individual's educational background fortells a lot on how people can earn more or earn less. Some may finished only as a highschool graduate but has skills t...
03
Some people argue that leisure time is best spent on activities that stimulate the mind, such as reading and doing word puzzles. Other people contend that leisure time is best spent on activities that relax the mind. Discuss both views and give your own opinion. Write at least 250 words.
Human beings love to relax and chill its in our nature. But it differ from a human being to another how we like to spend our leisure time some argue that free ...
04
Some people in different countries earn very high incomes. While some people think that this is beneficial for the nation, others believe that the government should limit how much money people can make. Discuss both views and give your own opinion. Write at least 250 words.
In different countries, many people make too much money. Some people gave their opinions in thier favour and some suggest that The Government should keeps an ey...
05
There are two opposing views on whether university students should be free to choose their own subjects or whether they should only be allowed to study subjects that will be useful in the future, such as those related to science and technology. Discuss both views and give your own opinion. Write at least 250 words.
The two opposing views on whether university students should be free to choose their own subject or whether allowing an individual to study courses that will on...