Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-06

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)

In some societies, people argue that whether government should allocate more funds for establishing railway lines and trains or making existing transport better. In this essay, I will discuss both sides of the argument, and I will present my opinion in favor of the earlier point that why new trains and railway lines should build.

On one hand, proponents believe that it is important to update transport system by building new railways lines connecting different cities and introducing new trains. They think that transport system should also updated with the advancements in technology to facilitate citizens and to make traveling convenient as well as super fast. For instance, in Japan, the bullet trains are introduced which can move very fast and minimize traveling of days into hours. It saves people' time and provide them comfort.

On the other hand, opponents think that inspite of using money for introducing new trains or making new railway lines, the available public transport should be updated. In this way, less funds will be used and saved amount can be used for other public services. For example, repairing exiting roads, increasing number of buses, and installing air-conditioning system in them.

In my opinion, funds should be utilized for introducing latest transport system with updated facilities for public rather than using it for existing transport because pubic will be able to move from one city to another in less time than ever before. Moreover, old transport will need to be repaired multiple times, and will not serve as the new one.

In conclusion, although latter option of using money of existing transport will save funds, constructing railway lines and fast-moving trains will be more beneficial.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response addresses both sides of the argument and provides a clear personal opinion. However, the development of ideas is somewhat limited. While you mention Japan's bullet trains as an example, the explanation for why existing transport should be improved is quite brief and lacks depth. To reach a higher band, you should expand on the economic or social implications of each choice. For instance, you could discuss the long-term environmental benefits of high-speed rail versus the immediate accessibility benefits of upgrading local bus networks. The position is consistent, but the supporting arguments need more thorough elaboration to fully satisfy the requirements of the prompt.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is logically organized into clear paragraphs, each with a distinct focus. You use basic cohesive devices such as 'On one hand,' 'On the other hand,' and 'In conclusion' to signal the structure of your argument. However, the flow between sentences is sometimes mechanical, and the use of referencing could be more sophisticated. For example, the transition between the second and third paragraphs is abrupt. To improve, try to use a wider variety of linking words and ensure that the progression of ideas within paragraphs is smoother by using pronouns or synonyms to refer back to previously mentioned concepts.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, allowing you to convey your meaning clearly. You use some topic-specific terms like 'allocate funds,' 'advancements in technology,' and 'facilitate citizens.' However, there are some repetitive word choices and minor inaccuracies, such as 'the earlier point' (should be 'the former') and 'exiting roads' (should be 'existing'). The range is somewhat limited, and you rely on fairly common phrasing. To achieve a higher score, try to incorporate more precise academic collocations and avoid repeating the same words (e.g., 'transport' and 'money') throughout the text.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

You demonstrate a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, which is a good start. However, there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally distract the reader, such as 'whether government should allocate' (missing article), 'railway lines should build' (should be passive: 'should be built'), and 'It saves people' time' (should be 'people's'). Additionally, there are issues with verb tense consistency and article usage. While these errors do not impede communication, they are frequent enough to prevent a higher score. Focus on proofreading for subject-verb agreement and ensuring that passive voice constructions are formed correctly.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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