PTE Academic · Write Essay

High-Speed Rail Networks

3 original Write Essay questions. Question 1 is free to answer and check right here; log in free to practise the rest in the BandLadder app.
  • 3 questions
  • Question 1 free, no login
  • PTE Academic
1

Decarbonising Intercity Travel

Free to try, no login

You will have 20 minutes to plan, write and revise an essay about the topic below. Your response will be judged on how well you develop a position, organise your ideas, present supporting details, and control the elements of standard written English. You should write 200–300 words.

Many transport planners believe that governments should prioritise funding high-speed rail networks over expanding domestic aviation, arguing it is essential for achieving climate targets. However, critics argue that the capital costs and ecological disruption of rail construction are too high. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Support your view with reasons and examples.

0 words · target 200–300 · 20 minutes in the test · spell-check is off, as in the test

Questions 2–3

You will have 20 minutes to plan, write and revise an essay about the topic below. Your response will be judged on how well you develop a position, organise your ideas, present supporting details, and control the elements of standard written English. You should write 200–300 words.

Read them here; log in to answer and check them.

2

Regional Economic Connectivity

Connecting secondary towns to major economic hubs through high-speed rail is believed to revitalise regional economies, though some argue it drains local talent towards megacities. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of expanding high-speed rail to peripheral regions.

3

Public Funding and Privatisation

High-speed rail infrastructure demands immense financial investment. Some argue that such projects should be funded entirely by the state as public goods, while others believe private sector concessions are necessary to ensure financial discipline. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Want to answer the other 2?

Log in to practise Write Essay in the BandLadder app: the full question bank, instant scoring the way Pearson marks it, and answer explanations.

Ready for the whole test?

Take a full PTE mock with every question type, the real timings and a score on Pearson's 10–90 scale the moment you finish.

Try a free PTE mock →

Keep practising

More Write Essay sets

Practise every PTE question type

  • ✓Full question bank for every type
  • ✓Instant scoring, marked the way Pearson does
  • ✓BandLadder AI scoring for speaking and writing
Practise in the app

Free account · no card

© 2026 BandLadder. Written and checked by the BandLadder team. You may quote or cite this page with credit to BandLadder and a link to it; republishing it in full needs our written permission. Content use policy

Log in to practise all 3