Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-11-05

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

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

Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

 

Student answer (Band 5.5)

Nowadays, many people argue that large amount of money should be spend on constructing new railway lines for the development of the city while others believe that it should be used for improving the existing transports.In my opinion,I believe that improving the existing tranport system would be a better idea for the betterment of the local people for short distances.

On the one hand, a large number of individuals are depandant on public transportation.Buses are frequently used by workers and school students. Therefore, money can be used for improving their routes,giving more options to public so that traffic can be reduced and improving their infrastructure.Moreover, buses stop are generally far away from each other which helps people in regulating health life as it encourages them to walk. Additionally, buses tickets are much cheaper and afforadable for the local people, which could help them managing their financial pressure as well.

On the other hand, railways tracks have several advantages as well.Firstly, it is fastest way of transportation to allocate to different locations.Moreover, your travelling time can be saved for other useful activities.The stress of traffic congestion can also be reduced as it can take large number of people in a single time, reducing the number of cars and buses on roads. Secondly, it helps in the development of the city as railway tracks can be used for transporting goods making city more commercial.For example , production of several foods can be taken from large distance of city in shorter period of time, helping the consumer and retailer time.

All in all, it can be concluded that both have their advantages for the betterment of people.By spending money on both railway tracks and buses responsibly a large problem can be solved. By making railway tracks for far distances and improving buses for local travel.Government should spend on both without preffering one over other in order to make an effective society.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You discuss both options and give a position: you favour improving local transport initially, then conclude that governments should invest in both. This addresses the main parts of the task, but the final position is not fully consistent or clearly prioritised. The case for buses includes affordability and access for workers and students, while the high-speed rail discussion mentions faster travel and freight; however, the freight example is not clearly connected to the proposed passenger railway lines, and several points are asserted rather than explained. To strengthen the response, state a consistent view on how investment should be balanced and develop each main reason with a specific, relevant example or explanation.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall structure, with an introduction, separate paragraphs for the two views, and a conclusion. Signposts such as “On the one hand,” “On the other hand,” and “All in all” make the organisation easy to follow. Within paragraphs, however, some links are mechanical or unclear: the bus paragraph moves from routes to walking and then affordability without showing how each point supports the investment argument. The conclusion also repeats the idea of investing in both, then adds a sentence fragment beginning “By making railway tracks…”. Use clearer links between claims and explanations, and integrate the final recommendation into a complete, logically connected sentence.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a relevant range of transport and development vocabulary, including “traffic congestion,” “infrastructure,” “financial pressure,” and “commercial.” These choices help communicate the main ideas, but several inaccurate word forms, spellings, and collocations reduce precision, such as “tranport,” “depandant,” “afforadable,” “buses stop,” and “allocate to different locations.” Some expressions are also vague or unnatural, including “betterment of the local people” and “production of several foods can be taken.” Aim for more precise, natural combinations and check spelling carefully. For instance, describe trains as connecting cities or carrying goods, rather than using “allocate” for travel between locations.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and complex sentences, using structures such as “which could help them…” and “as it encourages them to walk.” The overall meaning is generally understandable, but errors in verb forms, articles, agreement, and sentence construction remain noticeable. Examples include “should be spend” instead of “should be spent,” “it is fastest way” without an article, and “help them managing” where the verb pattern is incorrect. The final line, “By making railway tracks for far distances…,” is a sentence fragment. Review passive forms, article use, and verb patterns, and make sure each sentence has a complete main clause. More accurate control of these structures would make your argument easier to read.

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