Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-11-08

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)

I believe that transportation plays an important role in our daily life and even the country's development. It is regarded to be the major source of development. In some countries, the citizens believe that it is good to spend large sum of money on constructing the new railway line for better and fast travel. Well, from my perspective, I would say that yes, it is correct to do. I agree tnat ot would cost an arm and leg but it would act as an investment from the citizens to their country's development. I also believe that if the government is able to maintain the range and the railway lines, then it would be easy for the local people to travel between the cities, it would attract the foreign tourists into that country, Eventually, it would contribute to the social and economic development of the country and the citizens as well.

On the other hand, I also agree with those people who are arguing to use that money in the improvement of the existing modes of transportation. Tjere are several reasons why I am saying this. I think it would not only act as an important source for the development, but also it will save some amount of money which was being spent on the construction of the railway lines. With the improvements, the transportation would be more easy and convenient. The tourists would be morre attracted to the the cities and will contribute in the economic development of the country.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You present a clear preference for building high-speed railway lines, describing them as an investment that could support travel, tourism, and national development. You also acknowledge the opposing view and give reasons for improving existing transport, so both sides are recognisable. However, the discussion is only partly developed: the second view is mostly asserted, and the essay does not explain what improvements to current services might involve or why they could benefit more people. Your position also becomes less definite when you say, “I also agree” with the opposing side, without clarifying how this fits with your earlier preference. Develop each argument with a specific example and state clearly which option you consider the better use of public funds.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a basic overall structure: the first paragraph supports new railway lines, while “On the other hand” introduces improvements to existing transport. This helps the reader identify the two views. However, progression within the paragraphs is limited, as several claims about tourism and economic development are repeated rather than built into a sequence of reason and evidence. Linking phrases such as “Well” and “I think” are conversational and do not always clarify the relationship between ideas. The final paragraph also ends without a conclusion that brings the discussion together or restates your position. Organise each paragraph around one main reason, explain it, and use a brief concluding paragraph to make your overall judgement explicit.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some relevant topic vocabulary, including “constructing,” “railway lines,” “modes of transportation,” and “economic development,” and phrases such as “investment” show an attempt to express broader consequences. However, the range is limited and several expressions are repetitive or imprecise, particularly repeated references to “development” and “attracted” tourists. Some collocations are unnatural, such as “the range and the railway lines” and “more easy and convenient,” while spelling slips such as “Tjere,” “morre,” and “tnat” reduce accuracy. Aim for more precise transport-related vocabulary and check spelling carefully. For example, distinguish between expanding rail infrastructure and upgrading existing services, rather than relying on general claims about development.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mixture of simple and longer sentences, including a conditional structure in “if the government is able to maintain … then it would be easy.” The main ideas are generally understandable, but control is uneven. There are errors in sentence construction and agreement, as in “it would not only act … but also it will save,” where the paired structure and verb forms do not match. The opening phrase “It is regarded to be” is also an awkward grammatical pattern, and the long sentence beginning “I also believe that if…” would be clearer if divided. Punctuation and capitalisation are inconsistent, including the capital letter in “Eventually” mid-sentence. Practise parallel structures and review verb forms, articles, and sentence boundaries.

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