Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-11-14

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, despite it is often argued that constructing new railway lines for very fast trains between cities is more crucial than enchancing public transport. In my opinion this trend is less significant, and improving trasport will have more benefits.

Some people argue that the government should spend more money in constructing new railway lines for very fast train between cities. Since they believe that it can be a good way to avoide spending more time and money. Due to the fact that it can allow them to arrive to their destination rapidly. For instance, if they visite their families or, if students who live abroad go to work. As a result, this new railway lines for fast train can be a good devlopment for many cities.

On the ther hand a lot of individuals have the totaly opposite opinion, and I completly agree whith it. The money should be spent on improving existing public transport. Because I believe that developing public transport can be more useful for mental health of both teenagers and adults.Owing to the fact that nowadays less people use private cars. In addition, both students and workers will have more productivity to go to school, or at work. Since, they will be more comfortable, experience less stress and pressure. Furtheremore, I think that it seems more logical and that a priority.

In conclusuion, however some citizens argue that more money should be spend on constructing new railway, and that this topic can not have drawbacks. I think that the government have to spend this money on enhancing existing public transport since it can have more postive aspects, and it is a priority.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You discuss both proposed uses of public money and state a clear preference for improving existing transport, especially in the opening and final paragraphs. The fast-train argument includes a relevant benefit—reaching destinations more quickly—and an example involving family visits and students. However, the discussion remains limited: the example is unclear, and the benefits of improving transport are asserted rather than explained in detail. The claim that better transport supports mental health and productivity would be stronger with a specific explanation or example. The conclusion repeats your preference but does not add much to the reasoning. Develop each side with clearer, more fully explained reasons and make the comparison between the options more explicit.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, one paragraph for each view, and a conclusion. This helps the reader identify your position and follow the broad topic. However, progression within paragraphs is uneven, and several linking expressions are used mechanically or create incomplete sentences. For example, “Since they believe…” and “Because I believe…” are fragments, while “Owing to the fact that” and “Since” introduce further dependent clauses without a clear main clause. The ideas about comfort, stress and productivity also need a clearer sequence. Use fewer, more precise connectors, join dependent clauses to complete sentences, and make the relationship between each reason and its supporting example explicit.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant topic vocabulary, including “railway lines,” “public transport,” “private cars,” “productivity” and “stress,” so the main ideas are generally understandable. However, the range is limited and several spelling errors make the writing less clear, such as “enchancing,” “avoide,” “devlopment” and “Furtheremore.” There are also inaccurate or unnatural word combinations, including “more crucial,” “for mental health” and “have more productivity to go to school.” These choices sometimes make the intended meaning difficult to follow. Build a more precise set of transport-related expressions and check spelling and collocations carefully; for example, explain whether transport improves access, reliability, comfort or journey times.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt some complex structures, including clauses beginning with “despite,” “Since” and “Owing to the fact that,” and you use a basic range of sentence forms. However, many of these attempts are incomplete or incorrectly formed, so the range is not yet controlled. “Despite it is often argued” needs a different grammatical pattern, and “Since they believe…” is a dependent clause standing alone. There are also errors in agreement and number, as in “this new railway lines” and “the government have,” as well as punctuation problems where clauses are separated by full stops or commas. Practise building complete sentences with one clear main clause, then check subject–verb agreement, articles and plural forms.

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