Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)

In the present age there are a lot of things that have to be updated but there is also a limitation of money by which the update has to be done. In many nations people often discuss about how necessary it is to spend large sums of money on constructing new railway lines for very fast trains between cities however other have faith that money should be used to improve existing public transport.

In my opinion new achievements have to be done first however we also has to take care about the public transportation and safety. It is very costly to use establish new station and railway tracks and maintaining them that is why we cannot spend money equally in different work. For example if we put the money half and start working for railway we will be in big trouble if the money is finished and the progress stops. Constructing new railway track is a big project and has to be take care about how the train is going to run smoothly without any issue and with full safety. It is not only about construction the money has to be given to each worker without it the worker will not give their best at work or may leave the work in middle which is a big drawback form the project to loose manpower. If this project get success then it will be more fast way of transport then public transport and can be expand further more to have even longer distance travel using train with affordable costs.

On the other hand we were talking about improving the existing public transport it is also important to improve the quality and safety of public transport as well but it can done after the railway project or after the second budget will release for the development of the nation. Let us take an example if we let the railway project done after that we can use the railways profit to use to improve the existing public transport.

In conclusion if we make new achievements then by the profit earned from that achievement we can update other facilities. Like if we first let the railway project be completed then after it by the profit of the railway station we can improve the public transport.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You address both options and state a preference for building new railway infrastructure, so the response is relevant to the question. However, the discussion is uneven: the case for high-speed rail receives several points, while improving existing transport is mostly acknowledged as important and then postponed. The claim that railway profits could fund improvements is repeated in the conclusion but is not explained or supported with a convincing example. Your position is also not fully consistent: you say new achievements should come first, yet mention safety and public transport without clarifying how these priorities would be balanced. Develop both sides with specific benefits and drawbacks, then justify your preference more clearly.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has an introduction, a main paragraph focused on new railways, a paragraph on existing transport, and a conclusion. This gives the reader a basic structure, and phrases such as “On the other hand” signal a change in viewpoint. However, progression within paragraphs is sometimes difficult to follow: the first main paragraph moves from funding to worker pay, safety, speed, and future expansion without clear links between these points. The conclusion largely repeats the claim about railway profits rather than drawing the discussion together. Some linking phrases are also awkward or repetitive. Group related reasons, use clearer topic sentences, and make references such as “that achievement” more precise.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some topic-related vocabulary, including “railway tracks,” “public transport,” “safety,” and “manpower,” which helps communicate the subject. However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations are noticeably inaccurate, sometimes making the meaning less clear. For example, “new achievements” does not naturally describe railway construction, “use establish new station” is unclear, and “the progress stops” is imprecise in this context. There are also errors such as “form the project” and “more fast.” Aim for precise transport and funding vocabulary, and check that words combine naturally. Replacing repeated general terms such as “money” and “project” with suitable alternatives would also improve variety.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and longer sentences, including conditional structures such as “if we put the money half…” and a relative clause in “which is a big drawback.” However, complex sentences are often faulty, and errors occur frequently enough to make some ideas difficult to follow. Examples include “other have faith,” “we also has to take care,” “it can done,” and “the project get success,” which show problems with agreement, verb forms, and missing auxiliaries. Sentence boundaries and punctuation also need attention, particularly in the long sentence beginning “It is not only about construction.” Practise building accurate clauses first, then connect them with conjunctions; check subject–verb agreement and verb forms during revision.

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