Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-09-11
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)
These days, there has been a lot of talk about constructing new railway lines for very fast trains between cities and improving existing public transport. This essay will delve deeper into the possible punitive reasons, viewpoints, overviews, and advantages causing this scenario before presenting my school of thought in the ensuing paragraphs with sufficient and relevant examples.
At first glance, there are several reasons in support of my context, but the most obvious one is that constructing new railway lines for very fast trains can provide faster and more convenient transportation between cities. For example, one survey conducted by "The Daily News" revealed that the majority of people are responsible for this phenomenon, while only a few are aware of it. As a result, it is clear why a large number of people agree with the aforementioned position.
My point is further supported by that improving existing public transport can be more beneficial for ordinary people. A famous non-governmental organization has been working to overcome this situation, and they suggest that the government needs to spread awareness and educate people for the betterment of society. Thus, this will not only raise living standards but also make individuals more cautious and practical in their approach.
To recapitulate, it may be argued that, even though there are many causes, overviews, viewpoints, arguments, pros as well as negatives of constructing new railway lines for very fast trains and improving existing public transport. Lastly, it seems to me that it is a wide idea to use such options, and they are pragmatic as well for a human being on Earth. In order to foster global wealth, productivity, and a fine environment, citizens are urged to abide by the relevant laws and regulations.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response addresses both sides of the argument, but the development is weak and lacks depth. The ideas presented are often vague or irrelevant to the prompt. For instance, the mention of a survey by 'The Daily News' and the role of a 'non-governmental organization' do not provide substantive evidence or logical support for the debate between high-speed rail and existing public transport. The student's own opinion is stated in the conclusion but is not clearly integrated or supported throughout the essay. The essay relies on generic filler phrases rather than specific, task-related arguments, which prevents it from reaching a higher band.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into paragraphs, but the progression of ideas is disjointed. While cohesive devices like 'At first glance' and 'To recapitulate' are used, they are often employed mechanically or inappropriately, failing to link ideas logically. The referencing is sometimes unclear, and the transition between the two viewpoints is abrupt. The essay lacks a clear, logical flow, making it difficult for the reader to follow the argument. Paragraphing is present, but the internal structure of the paragraphs is not well-managed, as the sentences do not always build upon one another effectively.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is limited and often repetitive. The student uses several phrases that are either misused or lack clarity, such as 'punitive reasons', 'school of thought', and 'wide idea'. These choices suggest an attempt to use sophisticated language without a full understanding of the collocations or meanings. While the meaning is generally conveyed, the lack of precision and the reliance on generic, somewhat unnatural phrasing restricts the score. There is little evidence of a wide range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic discussion on infrastructure.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The essay contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but accuracy is inconsistent. There are several grammatical errors, such as 'supported by that improving' and 'it is a wide idea to use such options'. Punctuation is generally functional, but the sentence construction is often awkward, which occasionally impedes the flow of ideas. While the errors do not completely prevent understanding, they are frequent enough to be noticeable and suggest a lack of control over more complex grammatical forms. The range of structures is limited, and the errors are persistent.
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