Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-17
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 a common belief that, in some countries to improves their transport system, governments have decide whether to build a new railway lines or improve existing public transport. In my opinion both have benefits but improving existing public transport is better approach.
New railway lines build to help to reduce time for those who travel city to city. If government build a new and advance railway lines structure its benefits for long route traveler. New railway lines structure helps to made modern cities. It also helps tourism and economy. They also reduce environmental pollution and noise pollution. They help to reduce transport in main cities. If governments made a new railway lines its help to long time period and made connectivity city to city.
Public transport are wide express in cities but it need to improve their structure. Basically public transport helps local residence. If roads are broken or buses qualities are not impressive how people take benefits. Because large number of people used local transport to go their office or markets.
In conclusion although build new railway structure helps in long term but improving existing public transport is beneficial for local communities and in this area
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response addresses both sides of the argument and provides a clear opinion. However, the essay is significantly under the 250-word minimum, which limits the depth of the discussion. Ideas are presented but remain underdeveloped; for example, the benefits of high-speed rail are listed as a series of short, repetitive sentences rather than being fully explored or supported with specific examples. To improve, you must expand on your points by explaining the 'why' and 'how' behind your arguments. The conclusion is also very brief and does not effectively synthesize the main points of the essay.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is mechanical and limited. Transitions between sentences are often abrupt, such as the repetitive use of 'It also helps' and 'They also reduce'. There is a lack of sophisticated linking words to connect ideas logically. The progression of ideas within paragraphs is somewhat disjointed, and the referencing is occasionally unclear, making the flow of the argument feel repetitive rather than cohesive.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is basic and repetitive, which restricts the quality of the argument. Phrases like 'new railway lines structure' and 'take benefits' are unnatural and imprecise. There is little evidence of less common lexical items or idiomatic language. While the meaning is generally clear, the lack of variety in word choice prevents the essay from achieving a higher score. You should focus on learning topic-specific collocations related to urban planning and transportation to improve your precision and range.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The essay contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede fluency. There are consistent issues with subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'Public transport are', 'governments have decide') and article usage (e.g., 'a new railway lines'). Sentence structures are predominantly simple, with limited attempts at complex sentences. When complex structures are attempted, they often contain errors, such as 'If governments made a new railway lines its help to long time period'. Improving your control over basic verb tenses and pluralization is essential for a higher score.
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