Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-11-09

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 5.0)

In recent years , an important debate about it should be expending more on the construction of railway lines for trains between cities , while some people believe that it is essencial to improve the existing public transport . both views has a significant point . this essay will discuss both of them . from my prespective that it is important to improve the public transport and built new railway lines for main reasons .

on one hand spent more coast to construct railway may solve several traffic problems in the sociaty , such as reducing traffic in cities and saving time for passengers because fast train allows passengers to reach their destination faster without struggling with traffic congestion .

on other hand the public transport should be developed with main facilities to provide people a confortable sevices , for instance it should be well equipied with confortable seats , security stuff and ensure the safety for the passegers . In addition people with low incomes choose the public transportation because it is cheaper than other transport as a result ot should be affordable for everyone .

In conclusion , Although both opinion has a vital point , the goverement should spent more sums on new railways and provide an effective transport , while the public transportantion also should be developed and equipied with necessities . I firmly confirm that the invistigation on public transportation is the best way to ensure the safety , confortabilty and especially it costs cheap .

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You address both sides of the discussion and give a position: you support improving public transport while also favouring new railway lines. The points about reducing city traffic, saving passengers’ time, and making transport affordable are relevant. However, the position is not fully consistent: the introduction calls for both options, while the conclusion says investment in public transportation is the best way. The discussion is also limited and under-developed. For example, you mention comfort and safety on existing transport but do not explain how these improvements would benefit more people or compare their impact with fast rail. Develop each view with a clearer explanation or a specific example, and state your preferred priority consistently.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, separate paragraphs for the two views, and a conclusion. Signposts such as “on one hand,” “on other hand,” and “In conclusion” help readers follow the basic organisation. However, progression within paragraphs is limited, and some links are mechanical or unclear. The first body paragraph gives benefits of fast trains, while the second shifts from facilities to affordability without clearly connecting these points to the comparison in the question. The conclusion also repeats earlier claims rather than drawing them together. Use clearer topic sentences and explain how each supporting point relates to your argument; check that linking phrases and references make the relationships between ideas explicit.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant topic vocabulary, including “traffic congestion,” “passengers,” “low incomes,” and “affordable,” which helps communicate the main ideas. However, the range is limited and several noticeable spelling and word-choice errors make parts of the response difficult to read, such as “sociaty,” “confortable sevices,” and “investigation” where you mean investment. Some combinations are also unnatural, including “spent more coast” and “costs cheap.” Aim to use accurate transport-related collocations and check spelling carefully. Replacing repeated general terms with precise expressions—for example, describing improvements to service frequency or network reliability—would make your discussion clearer and more effective.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, including a reason clause with “because” and a contrast clause beginning “Although.” However, the range is limited, and errors occur frequently enough to sometimes interrupt understanding. Examples include “both views has” instead of a plural verb, “the goverement should spent” instead of the correct verb form, and “the public transport should be developed” where the article is not needed in this general meaning. Sentence boundaries and punctuation are also inconsistent, with several run-on or awkwardly joined ideas. Practise accurate subject–verb agreement, verb forms after modal verbs, and article use, then proofread each sentence for a clear subject and complete structure.

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