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)
The important of investment for development which was always , debatable has now become more contorversial with many people claiming that it is beneficial while others reject this notion . The substantial influence of this trend has sparked the controversy over the potential impact in recent years . In my opinion the former proposition appear to be more rational . This essay will further elaborate my views for favoring the positives of both views people and thus will lead to a logical conclusion .
Analyzing the statement and explaining further , the first and foremost reason behind this is that Time saving because when large finance investment on building new railway lines help individuals to reach their work place on time . Another striking benefit in this regard is that help in easy migration to justify it , as students have to move for their study purpose , workers for their work etc . Categorically discussing , it cannot be ignored that not only railways development is necessarily the public transport should also be important to improve .
probing ahead, one of the main underlying reason stems from the fact is that current transport should firstly develop .
to recapitulate , according to the arguments aforementioned above one can reach
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 4.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.5
The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 250 words, which significantly impacts the development of ideas. While you attempt to address both views and state an opinion, the arguments are severely under-developed and lack supporting examples or logical depth. The essay ends abruptly, leaving the discussion incomplete and failing to provide a coherent conclusion. To improve, you must ensure each body paragraph contains a clear topic sentence, a detailed explanation, and a relevant example, while ensuring the total length exceeds the minimum threshold to allow for full task completion.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The essay lacks a logical structure. While there is an attempt at an introduction, the body paragraphs are fragmented and lack clear transitions between ideas. The use of cohesive devices is mechanical and often misused, such as 'Categorically discussing' and 'probing ahead', which do not fit the context. The paragraphing is inconsistent, and the abrupt ending prevents the development of a cohesive argument. To improve, focus on using linking words naturally to connect sentences and ensure each paragraph focuses on a single, well-developed idea that flows logically into the next.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is limited and often imprecise. There are several spelling errors, such as 'contorversial', and awkward collocations like 'large finance investment'. The range of vocabulary is insufficient to express complex ideas effectively, relying on repetitive and basic phrasing. To reach a higher band, you should aim to use a wider range of topic-specific vocabulary related to transport and infrastructure, and pay closer attention to word forms and spelling. Practicing synonyms and learning common collocations will help improve the precision and naturalness of your writing.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The essay contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede communication. There are issues with subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'the former proposition appear'), sentence fragments, and incorrect word order. The range of structures is very limited, consisting mostly of simple or poorly constructed complex sentences. Punctuation is also inconsistent, with unnecessary spaces before commas. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence construction, ensuring subjects and verbs agree, and proofreading for punctuation errors. Incorporating a variety of complex sentence structures, such as conditional or relative clauses, will also help improve your score.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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