Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-09-02

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 recent years ,governments in many countries have debated how best to invest in transport infrastructure some people argue that large amount of money should be spend on constructing new railway line for very fast train but a few of people think that the money should be spend on improving existing public transport. Both views have merit and I believe a balanced approach is effected .

Those who support high speed railways claim that they can significantly reduce travel time between major cities. This would encourage business growth, tourism and regional development . For example ,country like japan and china have benefited economically from their bullet train networks, as people can commute and transport goods much faster . Fast trains also help reduce air traffic and road congestion, which is good for the environment.

On the other hand , People who favor improving current public transport point out that most citizen use buses , metros , and local trains, daily . Upgrading these systems would have a more immediate impact on reducing traffic ,pollution , and travel costs for ordinary people .In many developing countries , existing buses are overcrowded and unreliable , so investing in better frequency, cleaner vehicles , and safer stations could improve quality of light right way.

In my opinion , while high speed rails has long term benefits, governments should first focus on improving existing public transport . Once the basic system works efficiently , then funds can be allocated to ambitious project like fast intercity railways . This way , both daily commuters and long distance travelers will benefit .

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, discussing both viewpoints and providing a clear personal opinion. The ideas are relevant, such as the economic benefits of high-speed rail versus the immediate social impact of improving local transport. However, the development is somewhat brief. While the examples of Japan and China are appropriate, the argument could be strengthened by further explaining the 'balanced approach' mentioned in the introduction. The position is consistent throughout, and the conclusion effectively summarizes the stance. To reach a higher band, ensure that each supporting point is expanded with more depth or specific reasoning.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized into clear paragraphs, each with a distinct focus. The progression of ideas is easy to follow, moving from the introduction to the two opposing views and finally the author's opinion. Cohesive devices such as 'On the other hand', 'For example', and 'In my opinion' are used effectively to link ideas. However, there are some minor issues with punctuation and spacing (e.g., spaces before commas), which makes the flow feel slightly mechanical at times. Overall, the paragraphing is appropriate and the structure supports the reader's understanding well.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, allowing the writer to express ideas clearly. There is some use of topic-specific vocabulary like 'transport infrastructure', 'regional development', and 'commute'. However, the range is somewhat limited, and there are occasional errors in word choice and form, such as 'quality of light' (likely meant 'life') and 'effected' (likely meant 'effective'). To improve, the student should aim to incorporate more sophisticated collocations and ensure precise word usage to convey meaning more accurately.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are frequent grammatical errors, particularly with subject-verb agreement and article usage (e.g., 'a few of people', 'country like japan', 'high speed rails has'). Punctuation is also inconsistent, with several instances of spaces appearing before commas. While these errors do not significantly impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. Focusing on proofreading for basic grammatical accuracy and consistent punctuation would significantly enhance the quality of the writing.

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