Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-09-01

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 6.5)

Some people believe that it is crucial to spend large sums of money on the construction of new railway lines to facilitate high-speed train services between cities, whereas others argue that the money should be spent on improving existing public transport. In my opinion, it is better to improve the current public transport system than to invest heavily in the new railway lines.

On the one hand, constructing the new railway lines by spending a large amount of money is considered significant, as it will provide people with fast train services. Individuals often have to face certain transportation problems when travelling by public transport, such as delays and technical faults. Moreover, travelling by public transport can also involve a risk of accidents, particularly when vehicles are poorly maintained or drivers are inexperienced. However, the railway service is much more feasible than public transport service, having the least chances of accidents. For example, trains always run on a specific track by following the perfectly designed schedule, so that it cannot cause any accident or collision and also help passengers to reach as early as possible at their destinations.

On the other hand, I support the view that improving the existing public transport system is a better option. First, improving the current transport system will cost less than constructing new railway lines between various cities. Second, the money saved could be used invested in other sectors, such as agriculture and public infrastructure, which could support farmers, improve essential services and contribute to the country's overall economic development. Third, improving existing public transport can benefit a larger proportion of the population, as many people rely on affordable buses and local transport for their daily journeys. For example, upgrading bus networks, increasing their frequency and improving their maintenance could make daily commuting faster, safer and more convenient for millions of passengers.

In conclusion, although constructing new railway lines can provide faster and more convenient travel between cities, I believe that improving the current public transport system is a better option because it can benefit passengers while also contributing to the development of infrastructure and other sectors of the economy.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

You have addressed all parts of the prompt, discussing both viewpoints and providing a clear personal opinion. Your position is consistent throughout the essay. The ideas are relevant and generally well-developed, particularly in the second body paragraph where you explain the economic and social benefits of improving existing transport. However, the first body paragraph could be strengthened; while you mention that high-speed trains are 'significant', the argument regarding safety is slightly over-generalized, as modern public transport systems (like buses or light rail) are also highly regulated. To reach a higher band, ensure that your supporting examples are more nuanced and directly linked to the core debate of infrastructure investment versus maintenance.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, two distinct body paragraphs, and a conclusion. You use cohesive devices effectively, such as 'On the one hand', 'Moreover', and 'In conclusion', which help guide the reader through your argument. The progression of ideas is smooth, and each paragraph has a clear central topic. Referencing is generally accurate, though some transitions could be more sophisticated to avoid a slightly mechanical feel. Overall, the structure is sound and supports the development of your argument well.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with some precision. Phrases like 'facilitate high-speed train services', 'economic development', and 'proportion of the population' are used appropriately. There are some minor issues with collocation and word choice, such as 'the railway service is much more feasible', where 'viable' or 'efficient' might be more precise. You attempt to use less common vocabulary, which is good, but there is room for more idiomatic or academic collocations to elevate the tone further. Communication is never impeded by your word choices.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures effectively. There is good control over punctuation and sentence boundaries. While most sentences are error-free, there are occasional slips, such as 'the money saved could be used invested in other sectors' (a passive voice error) and 'so that it cannot cause any accident' (which is slightly awkward phrasing). Despite these minor errors, your grammatical control is strong, and the complexity of your sentences is sufficient for a high band score. The errors do not interfere with the clarity of your message.

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