Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-07-27
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 7.5)
In many countries, people have different opinions about how governments should spend money on public transport. Some people believe that large amounts of money should be used to build new railway lines for high-speed trains between cities. However, others think that it is better to improve the existing public transport system. This essay will discuss both views before giving my opinion.
On the one hand, building new railway lines for very fast trains has many advantages. High-speed trains can help people travel between cities much faster, which saves time for workers, students, and tourists. They can also reduce traffic on roads and lower air pollution because more people may choose trains instead of private cars. In addition, better railway connections can help businesses grow by making transportation easier.
On the other hand, many people believe that improving the current public transport system is more important. In many cities, buses and trains are old, overcrowded, and often delayed. Spending money on repairing railway tracks, buying new buses and trains, and improving stations can benefit a larger number of people. It can also make daily travel safer, more comfortable, and more reliable.
In my opinion, governments should focus more on expanding and improving the railway system. There is too much crowding in trains and buses in many countries. Building more railway tracks and increasing the number of trains can reduce this problem. As the number of trains increases, the waiting time for the next train becomes shorter, and passengers are distributed more evenly. This will make public transport more comfortable and efficient for everyone.
In conclusion, although high-speed railway projects have many benefits, I believe that improving and expanding the existing public transport system is a better way to spend public money because it helps more people in their daily lives.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 8.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.5 |
| Overall | 7.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5
The response addresses all parts of the prompt. You clearly discuss both views regarding high-speed rail versus improving existing public transport and provide a consistent personal opinion throughout the essay. The ideas are relevant and logically extended, particularly in the body paragraphs where you explain the benefits of both approaches. To reach a higher band, you could provide more specific examples or evidence, such as referencing a particular country or a real-world case study, to further support your arguments and add depth to your analysis.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5
The essay is well-organized with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs discussing the opposing views, a paragraph for your own opinion, and a conclusion. The progression of ideas is logical, and you use cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', 'In addition', and 'In conclusion' effectively to guide the reader. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct ideas. The flow is smooth, and the relationship between sentences is clear, making the text easy to follow throughout.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.0
You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases like 'reduce traffic', 'lower air pollution', and 'distributed more evenly' are used accurately. While the vocabulary is functional and clear, it is somewhat standard. To improve, you could incorporate more sophisticated or less common lexical items related to urban planning or infrastructure, such as 'metropolitan connectivity', 'fiscal allocation', or 'mitigate congestion'. The spelling is accurate throughout, and there are no significant errors in word choice that impede communication.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5
The essay displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You use subordinating conjunctions like 'although' and 'because' effectively to create complex sentences. The grammar is generally accurate, with very few errors in tense or subject-verb agreement. Punctuation is handled well, contributing to the overall clarity of the writing. To achieve a higher band, you could experiment with a wider variety of complex grammatical structures, such as conditional sentences or passive voice constructions, to demonstrate greater flexibility and control over your writing.
Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.