Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · 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 7.0)

In some countries, there is a debate about whether governments should invest large amounts of money in building new high-speed railway lines between cities, or whether they should use that money to improve existing public transport systems. While both views have merit, I believe improving current public transport should be the priority.

Those who support building new fast trains argue that it can benefit the economy and environment. High-speed railways can connect major cities quickly, which saves travel time for business people and tourists. This can increase trade and tourism between regions. For example, Japan’s Shinkansen and China’s bullet trains have helped economic growth by making travel more efficient. Furthermore, fast trains are less polluting than airplanes or cars, so they can help reduce carbon e]missions and traffic congestion on roads.

On the other hand, others believe that money would be better spent on improving existing public transport. The reason is that most ordinary citizens use buses, local trains, and metro systems every day, not inter-city high-speed trains. If governments upgrade these services by making them more frequent, reliable, and affordable, it will benefit a much larger number of people.

For instance, in many cities in Pakistan, buses are overcrowded and often late. Investing in better buses and metro lines would reduce traffic jams and air pollution in urban areas immediately.

In conclusion, although high-speed railways have some advantages for long-distance travel, I think improving everyday public transport is more important. This is because it serves more people and addresses urgent problems like congestion and pollution in cities.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response addresses all parts of the task. You have clearly presented both viewpoints regarding high-speed rail and existing public transport, and you have provided a clear personal opinion in the introduction and conclusion. The ideas are relevant and supported by examples, such as the mention of Japan’s Shinkansen and the situation in Pakistan. The development is logical, though the explanation of the benefits of high-speed rail could be slightly more detailed to reach the highest band. Overall, the position is consistent throughout the essay, and the task requirements are fully met.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is well-organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central topic, and the transition between the two viewpoints is smooth, using phrases like 'On the other hand'. Cohesive devices are used effectively, such as 'Furthermore', 'For instance', and 'This is because'. The paragraphing is logical, separating the introduction, the two body paragraphs, and the conclusion. The flow of information is natural, and the relationship between ideas is easy to follow throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases like 'economic growth', 'efficient', 'reliable', and 'affordable' are used correctly. There is an attempt to use less common vocabulary, and the meaning is always clear. While the vocabulary is functional and appropriate, it lacks some of the more sophisticated, idiomatic, or academic collocations that would characterize a higher band. There is a minor typo ('e]missions'), but this does not impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You use complex sentences effectively, such as 'While both views have merit, I believe...' and 'If governments upgrade these services..., it will benefit...'. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and grammar is strong. There are no significant errors that impede communication. To reach a higher band, you could incorporate a wider variety of more complex grammatical structures, such as passive voice constructions or more varied conditional forms.

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

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