Task 2 is a short survey response (about 150–200 words, ~26 minutes). Choose one option, explain why, and support it with 2–3 reasons and short examples. No greeting or sign-off.
Four parts
- Opening: your choice in the first line
- Reason A + short example
- Reason B + short example
- Close: one-line wrap-up (and, if space, a brief nod to the other option)
1) Opening (state your choice + main idea)
Plug lines
- I support X because it solves the main problem.
- I prefer X since it reduces wait times / costs / confusion.
- I would choose X because it helps the most people in daily life.
- X is better than Y as it improves reliability / access / safety.
Topic examples
- Transit: I support bus-only lanes because they cut travel time and keep trips on schedule.
- Parks: I prefer building washrooms because they serve families during long events.
- Library: I would choose extended hours because they help students who work evenings.
- Recycling: I support door-to-door pickup for electronics because it prevents unsafe disposal.
- Parking: I prefer resident permits because they protect evening parking near homes.
2) Reason A + short example (one idea)
Plug frames
- First, this reduces…
- To start, it improves…
- For many people, this means…
- For example, on ___ days / at ___ time…
Examples you can adapt
- Reliability: During rush hour, buses arrive 15–20 minutes late; a bus lane would keep them on time.
- Access: Weekend events draw crowds; families face long washroom lines near the playground.
- Safety: Poor lighting after 9 p.m. makes the path unsafe; new lights would prevent falls.
- Cost: A small fee change does not help if trips still take twice as long.
- Clarity: Posting daily updates prevents residents from calling the office many times.
3) Reason B + short example (different angle)
Plug frames
- Second, it encourages / supports / prevents…
- Another benefit is that it helps…
- This also means people can …
Examples you can adapt
- New riders: Faster trips attract students to public transit, reducing traffic for everyone.
- Health: Clean park washrooms keep areas usable in winter and during long events.
- Fairness: Resident permits protect evening parking near apartments and reduce conflicts.
- Environment: Electronics pickup stops hazardous waste from going into regular bins.
- Learning: Later library hours help shift workers study after work.
4) Close (wrap up; optional nod to the other option)
Plug lines
- In short, X solves the main issue, so it’s the better choice.
- Although Y helps in one way, X fixes the key problem we face daily.
- For these reasons, X will help commuters / families / students the most.
Phrase banks you can drop anywhere
Choosing
- I support / I prefer / I would choose / X is better because…
Benefits
- This reduces wait times / costs / confusion.
- This improves reliability / access / safety.
- As a result, people arrive on time / can participate / avoid waste.
Examples
- For instance, last winter / on weekdays / during events…
- On my route / In our building / At the community center…
Contrast
- Although Y helps some people, X solves the main issue.
- While Y is useful, it does not fix delays / access / safety.
Cause–effect links
- because / so / as a result / therefore / which means…
Mini-templates by common topic
A) Transit — Lanes vs. Fare Cut
Opening: I support bus-only lanes because they cut travel time and keep buses on schedule.
Reason A + example: During rush hour, trips that should take 20 minutes often become 40; dedicated lanes would keep routes moving.
Reason B + example: Faster trips bring new riders, which reduces traffic for everyone.
Close (optional nod): A small fare cut helps current riders, but lanes fix the main cause of delays.
Full sample (~175 words)
I support adding bus-only lanes because they cut travel time and make service reliable. Price matters, but people stop using buses when trips take too long or schedules are unpredictable.
First, dedicated lanes keep buses moving during rush hour. On Main Street, a 20-minute trip often becomes 40 because buses are stuck behind single-occupant cars. A bus lane would let vehicles bypass that jam and stay on schedule.
Second, faster, predictable trips attract new riders. Commuters plan around time, not small savings. If rides are quicker, more students and workers will switch from driving, which lowers traffic for everyone.
A small fare cut helps current riders, but it does not fix delays. When buses are late, people miss classes or shifts, and a 10% discount does not solve that problem. For these reasons, bus-only lanes deliver a bigger benefit for daily commuters.
B) Parks — Benches vs. Washrooms
Opening: I prefer more park washrooms because they serve families during long events.
Reason A + example: During weekend festivals, lines grow quickly; parents with young children wait 15 minutes or leave early.
Reason B + example: Clean facilities keep parks usable in winter and for seniors.
Close (optional nod): Extra benches are nice, but washrooms solve the main access problem.
Full sample (~165 words)
I prefer adding washrooms because they keep parks usable during long events.
First, weekend concerts bring crowds, and families face long lines near the stage. Last Saturday, the only washroom by the playground had a 15-minute wait, and several parents left early.
Second, clean facilities help seniors and winter users. People still walk in colder months, and having a warm, well-lit washroom makes the park practical year-round.
Benches are helpful, but they don’t solve the urgent issue on busy days. For these reasons, washrooms provide more value to regular park users.
C) Library — More Computers vs. Longer Hours
Opening: I support longer library hours because they help students who work evenings.
Reason A + example: Many people finish shifts after 6 p.m.; staying open until 9 p.m. lets them study.
Reason B + example: Later hours spread visitors across time, which reduces crowding at computers.
Close (optional nod): Adding computers helps some users, but longer hours help more people.
Full sample (~170 words)
I support longer library hours because they help people who work evenings.
First, many students and newcomers finish shifts around 6 p.m., so a 7 p.m. closure prevents them from studying. If the library stayed open until 9 p.m., they could print assignments and use quiet rooms after work.
Second, later hours reduce crowding. When everyone must visit before 7 p.m., computers and printers are full. Extending hours spreads visitors across time and makes access fair.
Extra computers are helpful, but without more time, peak-hour crowding continues. For these reasons, longer hours serve the community better.
D) Recycling — Street Bins vs. Electronics Pickup
Opening: I prefer door-to-door electronics pickup because it prevents unsafe disposal.
Reason A + example: People often leave old devices in regular bins; pickups stop batteries from going to landfills.
Reason B + example: A scheduled pickup is easy for seniors who cannot carry heavy items.
Close (optional nod): Street bins help small items, but pickups fix the hazard.
Full sample (~170 words)
I prefer electronics pickup because it prevents unsafe disposal and helps people who cannot carry heavy items.
First, old phones and batteries sometimes end up in regular bins. A monthly pickup would remove hazardous parts safely and keep parks and alleys clean.
Second, scheduled service helps seniors and residents without cars. They can leave items at the door instead of taking a taxi to a depot.
Street bins are useful for small items, but they don’t handle larger devices. For these reasons, pickups are the better choice.
E) Parking — Free Evenings vs. Resident Permits
Opening: I support resident parking permits because they protect evening spots near homes.
Reason A + example: After 6 p.m., visitors fill the street, and residents carry groceries from two blocks away.
Reason B + example: Permits still allow limited guest parking with time limits, which keeps the street fair.
Close (optional nod): Free evenings help visitors, but permits meet daily needs for residents.
Full sample (~165 words)
I support resident permits because they keep evening spaces available near homes.
First, after 6 p.m., event visitors take most spaces, and residents carry groceries from far away. Permits would save a few spots for people who live on the block.
Second, permits can include guest passes and time limits so friends can still visit without taking spots all night.
Free evening parking helps visitors, but it causes daily problems for residents. For these reasons, permits are the better choice.
F) School — Uniforms vs. Dress Code
Opening: I prefer a simple dress code because it reduces costs and still keeps standards.
Reason A + example: Uniforms are expensive for families; a dress code lets students use clothes they already have.
Reason B + example: Clear rules (no logos, safe shoes) still keep the school professional.
Close (optional nod): Uniforms look tidy, but a dress code is more practical.
Full sample (~170 words)
I prefer a dress code because it reduces costs for families while keeping clear standards.
First, uniforms can be expensive, especially when students need more than one set. A dress code allows families to use clothes they already own while following simple rules.
Second, standards like safe shoes and no large logos keep the school professional without forcing one style.
Uniforms look tidy, but they are not necessary to create a respectful environment. For these reasons, a dress code is the better approach.
Before → After (quick upgrades you can copy)
No clear choice
- Before: Both ideas are good.
- After: I support X because it solves the main problem.
List with no support
- Before: It’s cheaper, cleaner, and easier.
- After: It’s faster in rush hour and reduces missed transfers; for example, the 5:40 bus often arrives after 6:00.
Academic tone
- Before: In summation, aforementioned proposals exhibit…
- After: In short, X helps more because it fixes delays.
Build-and-go checklist
- Choice in the first line
- Two reasons, each with one short example
- Clear, respectful tone (no greeting/sign-off)
- Optional one-sentence nod to the other option
- Near 150–200 words; quick scan for commas and periods