Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-21

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, the government has to choose where to spend money on transport. Some people say we should build new train lines for very fast trains between cities. Other people say we should use the money to make buses and trains better in cities. I think improving the transport we already have is more important.

First, let’s talk about fast trains. Fast trains are good because they save time. People can travel between two big cities in just a few hours. This is helpful for work and travel. Countries like Japan and China have fast trains and many people use them. Fast trains are also better for the environment because people will drive less and fly less.

But on the other side, most people do not travel between cities every day. They use local buses and trains to go to school, work or the market. If these buses and trains are old, crowded and late, people get angry. They will then use their own cars. This makes traffic worse and air dirty.

For example, in Lahore the buses are often full and slow. If the government buys new buses and makes metro service better, life will be easier for many people. Improving current transport also costs less money than building new fast train lines.

In my opinion, the government should first fix the buses, metro and trains in cities. After that, they can think about fast trains.

In conclusion, fast trains are good, but better daily transport helps more people.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, discussing both viewpoints and providing a clear personal opinion. The ideas are relevant, such as the environmental benefits of fast trains versus the daily utility of local public transport. However, the development is somewhat basic. While the example of Lahore is good, the arguments could be extended further with more sophisticated analysis or broader implications to reach a higher band. The position is consistent throughout the essay, and the conclusion effectively summarizes the main argument.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central topic. Cohesive devices are used, such as 'First', 'But on the other side', and 'In conclusion', which help the flow of ideas. However, the transitions are somewhat mechanical and simple. To improve, the student should aim for more varied linking words and phrases to create a smoother, more sophisticated progression between sentences and paragraphs.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks variety and precision. The student relies on simple, repetitive language such as 'good', 'bad', 'big', and 'make'. While the meaning is always clear, there is little evidence of less common lexical items or idiomatic expressions. To achieve a higher score, the student should incorporate more academic collocations and precise terminology related to urban planning and transportation infrastructure.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The student demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are grammatically accurate, and errors are rare and do not impede communication. However, the range of structures is somewhat limited; the essay relies heavily on straightforward subject-verb-object patterns. To move into the higher bands, the student should attempt to use a wider variety of complex grammatical structures, such as conditional sentences, passive voice, or relative clauses, with greater frequency and control.

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

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