Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-04
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)
It is undeniable that different people have different view on spending money by government in transportation . In this regards some people think that it is necessary to spend large money on constructing new railway lines for fast trains between the cities while other believe that the money should spend on improving existing public transport . this essay will outline not only both perspectives but also my opinion for later point of view which will outline in forthcoming fragment with logical conclusion .
To commence with there are s few point for former point of view firstly it help to save time . to explain it that new railway lines built for fast trains help to travel because it saves a time for long distances .Secondly it help to boost the economy of the the countries to justify it that small business man expand their business they export their good for long distance in short time period .
However their are several point for later point of view first ad foremost are other public transport are also important ti clarify it that mostly people use the buses for short distances for example many student travel by buses for up and down . therefore money also spend on other public transport by government . after that it will cheaper than to built new system to eloborate it that for building new railway system huge money required to built the system than repairing the existing system .
In conclusion although there are few point for former point of view such as boost economy and travel easy and fast way yet according to me importance of former point will never be neglected
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response addresses both views and provides a personal opinion, though the development of ideas is somewhat limited. While you mention benefits like time-saving and economic growth for high-speed rail, and accessibility and cost-efficiency for existing transport, the arguments lack depth and specific examples. The conclusion is also slightly contradictory, as you state you support the 'former' point of view (high-speed rail) but then conclude by saying the 'former' point (which you previously defined as the rail) should not be neglected, creating confusion about your final stance. To improve, ensure each point is fully extended with clear, logical reasoning.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The essay is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is often mechanical or inaccurate, such as 'to commence with', 'to justify it that', and 'after that'. There are also issues with referencing; for example, the transition between the introduction and the body paragraphs is abrupt. The flow of ideas is sometimes hindered by these awkward transitions and repetitive sentence structures. Improving the variety and accuracy of linking words and ensuring clear logical progression between sentences would significantly enhance the coherence of your writing.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary range is limited and often repetitive. You rely on basic phrasing such as 'spend large money', 'help to', and 'good' (used as a noun). There are several instances of word-choice errors and awkward collocations, such as 'forthcoming fragment' instead of 'subsequent paragraphs' and 'up and down' to describe commuting. While the meaning is generally clear, the lack of precision and the reliance on simple vocabulary prevent the essay from reaching a higher band. You should focus on learning topic-specific collocations related to infrastructure and urban planning.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
There are frequent grammatical errors throughout the text, including missing articles ('the'), incorrect verb forms ('money should spend'), and subject-verb agreement issues ('there are s few point'). Punctuation is also inconsistent, with spaces missing before commas and periods. While you attempt some complex structures, they are often marred by errors that occasionally impede the flow of reading. To improve, focus on basic sentence construction, ensuring correct verb tenses and consistent use of articles. Proofreading for common slips like 'their' vs 'there' and 'built' vs 'building' will also help.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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