Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)

In many regions, some individuals believe that spending vast amount of money in construction of new railways lines for fast trains to connect to reduce the time. In contrast, other people think that spending money to improve existing transport facilities. In my perspective, rather than building new railways line we should focus on improvement for public transport. Building rest areas, improve road networks and provide other facilites to public like Wifi, less rents and digital servies to guide old aged people about destinations.

On the one hand, constructing new train line is a time taking process and it also cost large sums of money to reduce the time. This mainly because, if countrys economy is good and able to invest in line network then this could be benefical for society. For instance, fast trains reduces the time frame where people travel from one city to another in 45 minutes but when the fast trains start operating it save approximately 15 minutes of people and their journey become more easiler than the past.

On the other hand, if authorities start investing in improvement of public transport although, it will took less money and less time to enhance. However, government improve public transport by building rest areas, where old and young sit down and wait for trains arrival. Furthermore, government reduces the cost of tickets to grab more public. Introducing Wifi service in buses can also improve transporation. For example, digital radio facility for guidance of all age people about every destination to drop out at exact location.

In conclusion, in my view improving public transport is better option because it could be less costly and also less time consuming rather than constructing new railway line.

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. For instance, the argument for fast trains is underdeveloped, relying on a vague example about saving 15 minutes. The suggestions for improving public transport, such as 'digital radio' or 'Wifi', are relevant but lack depth in explaining how these would significantly improve the overall transport system compared to high-speed rail. The position is consistent, but the supporting arguments would benefit from more detailed reasoning and clearer real-world examples to reach a higher band.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Cohesive devices are used, such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', and 'In conclusion', which help guide the reader. However, the use of these devices is sometimes mechanical or slightly awkward, such as the transition 'This mainly because' which lacks a subject. Referencing is occasionally unclear, and the flow between sentences could be smoother. Overall, the paragraphing is appropriate, and there is a clear progression of ideas throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, but it is somewhat repetitive and lacks precision. Phrases like 'vast amount of money' and 'large sums of money' are used, but there is a lack of more sophisticated or academic collocations. Some word choices are imprecise, such as 'grab more public' instead of 'attract more passengers' or 'drop out at exact location' instead of 'alight at the correct stop'. While the meaning is clear, the range of vocabulary is limited, and the student struggles to use less common lexical items effectively.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The essay contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede the flow. Examples include 'spending vast amount of money in construction' (missing articles and incorrect preposition), 'it will took less money' (incorrect tense), and 'their journey become more easiler' (incorrect comparative form). Punctuation is generally functional, but there are errors in subject-verb agreement and article usage throughout the text. While the errors do not completely prevent understanding, they are frequent enough to lower the score.

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