Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-14

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 6.0)

In some countries, people believe it is essential to spend a huge amount of money on the construction of new railway tracks between cities. Although others think money should be use on improving the present public transport. In this essay, I will discuss both views and give my opinion.

A number of people in different countries think it is very crucial to spend a big amount of money on constructing new railway lines between cities and the reason is people want to save their expensive time while travelling. They want to move from one city to another city in a very short time and they believe it is not possible without constructed new railway tracks.

Meanwhile, some people strongly believe the money should be spent on improving existing public transport because the public transport is very slow it is damaged over the time. They believe it is possible to reach their destination by improving the quality of public transport. For example, the local transport should need a proper transformation like new engines should be installed in local vehicles and a fully trained staff should be haired. Furthermore, separate tracks are need to be constructed for public transport, so the buses can be fast and people can save their time,

In my opinion, money should be spent on constructing new railway tracks because the trains are far better and faster than the local transport, Moreover the trains are clean and a variety of food is available in the latest trains.

In conclusion, there are many advantages on constructing new railway tracks and improving existing public transport but the construction of new railway tracks is more beneficial for a country and for the public.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response addresses both views and provides a clear personal opinion. However, the development of ideas is somewhat limited. While you mention the need to save time for the first view and the need for transformation for the second, the arguments lack depth and specific supporting evidence. For instance, the suggestion to 'hire' staff or 'install new engines' is a bit simplistic for an academic essay. To reach a higher band, you should expand on the broader socio-economic impacts of these transport choices rather than focusing only on the physical attributes of trains or buses. Your position is consistent throughout, which is a positive aspect of your task response.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, and there is a clear progression of ideas. You use some cohesive devices such as 'Meanwhile,' 'Furthermore,' and 'In conclusion' to link your thoughts. However, some transitions are mechanical or slightly awkward, such as the sentence fragment 'Although others think money should be use on improving the present public transport.' Additionally, the referencing within paragraphs could be smoother to avoid repetitive sentence structures. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring that each sentence flows naturally into the next will help you achieve a higher score in this criterion.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

Your vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, allowing you to convey your meaning clearly. You use some topic-specific terms like 'construction,' 'railway tracks,' and 'public transport.' However, there are instances of imprecise word choice and collocation errors, such as 'expensive time' (time is usually 'valuable'), 'constructed new railway tracks' (should be 'constructing'), and 'staff should be haired' (should be 'hired'). To improve, focus on learning common collocations and using more precise academic vocabulary to express your ideas with greater sophistication and accuracy.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

You demonstrate a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While your meaning is generally clear, there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally distract the reader. Examples include 'money should be use' (should be 'used'), 'the local transport should need a proper transformation' (should be 'needs'), and 'separate tracks are need to be constructed' (should be 'are needed'). Punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly with comma usage in complex sentences. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement, correct verb forms in passive constructions, and proofreading for basic grammatical slips to ensure your sentences are more error-free.

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

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