Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

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

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)

People have different views about whether transportation system. Some people think spend large amounts of money on construction of new railway lines for faster travelling, while other argue that the money should be spend on improving public transport. This essay will discuss both views and I believe that improving existing transport is more beneficial.

On the one hand, there are several reasons why people believe that money spend on new railway lines. The main reason is that faster travel between cities. High speed trains can significantly reduce travelling time between major cities. For instance, people travelling from Delhi to Mumbai could reach their destination much faster by using high- speed trains. Furthermore, a well developed high speed railway system can encourage people to use trains instead of private cars, which can reduce traffic congestion and air pollution. For example, if more travelers choose trains for long distance journeys, fewer cars will be on highways, as a result less traffic and fuel consumption.

On the other hand, others argue that improving existing public transport. This is mainly because it benefits for large number of people. Improving existing public transport buses, trains and metro system can benefit ordinary people who use public transport every day. For example, increasing buses and replacing old vehicles can make daily travelling easier for students and workers. In my opinion, although high speed railway lines can make long distance travel faster and convenient, governments should give greater priority to improving existing public transport because it is more affordable and beneficial for a large proportion of the population.

In conclusion, although high speed trains have several benefits, I believe that improving existing public transport is a more practical option for most people.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

You have addressed all parts of the prompt by discussing both viewpoints and providing a clear personal opinion. The ideas are relevant and logically structured. However, the development of these ideas is somewhat limited. For instance, while you mention that high-speed trains reduce travel time, you could have expanded on the economic implications or the environmental trade-offs in more detail to reach a higher band. The position is consistent throughout the essay, and the conclusion effectively summarizes your stance. To improve, ensure that each supporting point is fully explored with more depth rather than just stating the benefit.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. You use transition signals such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', and 'Furthermore' to guide the reader. However, some cohesive devices are used mechanically, and there are instances where referencing is slightly unclear, such as in the sentence 'others argue that improving existing public transport', which lacks a main verb. Paragraphing is used appropriately, and the progression of ideas is generally easy to follow, though the flow between sentences could be smoother with more varied linking phrases.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

Your vocabulary is adequate for the task and allows you to communicate your ideas clearly. You use some topic-specific terms like 'traffic congestion', 'air pollution', and 'fuel consumption'. However, the range is somewhat limited, and there are instances of awkward phrasing or word choice errors, such as 'money spend' instead of 'money spent' and 'benefits for large number of people' instead of 'benefits a large number of people'. To achieve a higher score, try to incorporate more sophisticated collocations and less common lexical items related to urban planning and transportation.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

You demonstrate a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are frequent grammatical errors that affect the accuracy of your writing. Examples include missing auxiliary verbs ('money spend' instead of 'money should be spent'), incorrect verb forms ('benefits for' instead of 'benefits'), and incomplete sentence structures ('others argue that improving existing public transport'). These errors are noticeable but do not significantly impede communication. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement and ensuring that every sentence has a clear, complete grammatical structure.

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