Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-09-14

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)

It is often argued in many nations that money should be spent on building new railway tracks, while others believe that existing public transport must be renovated. Both ideas sound great as public transport affects the daily lifestyle and infrastructure of a country. This essay will elaborate on both ideas with suitable reasons from my own experience or knowledge.

On the one hand, some individuals think that constructing new railway lines for very speedy trains between cities is a good reason to spend money on, as this can play a crucial role in decreasing human traffic, and people can now have a couple of options to travel. This can also improve the impression of a country internationally; people worldwide could be impressed by this decision and could plan to travel to that nation, which can give more profit to the tourism department. For instance, if people didn't feel a headache traveling in a country, they would definitely recommend it to others.

On the other hand, some believe that money should be spent on improving existing public transport. This could also be beneficial, as by improving department infrastructure, citizens may not face hurdles in checking in trains or other transports. If the railway lines were renovated, there could be a great decrease in accidents, like trains falling off the track. Improving seats of buses and trains, and timely maintenance of vehicles, can improve public comfort. For example, if a person experiences good travel, he may have a fresh mood and can serve his work with more dedication.

Overall, both ideas have some merits. In my opinion, spending more on improving existing public transport can help in saving people's valuable time, so they can perform well in daily life duties, which may help in improving their lifestyle.

In conclusion, both have reasonable arguments, as constructing new railway lines for fast trains can also be favorable, but spending money on improving existing public transport is more beneficial for locals. I think it's a big issue that existing transport is not in a well condition.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response addresses all parts of the task by discussing both views on public transport spending and providing a clear personal opinion. The writer considers the arguments for constructing new high-speed railway lines, such as decreasing traffic and boosting international tourism, as well as the benefits of renovating existing public transport, including improved infrastructure and increased passenger comfort. However, the ideas lack deep extension and tend to be somewhat repetitive in their support. While a position is stated, the conclusion reiterates thoughts rather than strongly synthesising the arguments. Consequently, the response aligns best with Band 6.5, as it addresses all parts of the prompt with relevant, albeit slightly under-developed, ideas and a clear overarching stance.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay displays a clear overall progression and logical organisation. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the introduction, the two body paragraphs discussing opposing views, the personal opinion, and the final conclusion. Cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', and 'Overall' are employed to guide the reader through the structure of the argument. However, referencing is occasionally imprecise, such as 'Both ideas sound great' and 'both have reasonable arguments' without clearly specifying what 'both' refers to in every instance. The transitional flow is generally clear, but some sentences feel somewhat mechanical. Therefore, the response fulfills the requirements for Band 6.5.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for the task, successfully attempting less common items and phrasing such as 'decreasing human traffic', 'infrastructure', and 'timely maintenance'. However, there are noticeable limitations and occasional inaccuracies in word choice and collocation. Phrases like 'feel a headache traveling', 'serve his work with more dedication', and 'not in a well condition' sound unnatural or show minor errors in lexical selection. Spelling is generally accurate, and vocabulary is sufficient to communicate the main points effectively, earning a solid Band 6.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The writer employs a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating some control over grammar and punctuation. Examples of complex structures include conditional sentences such as 'if people didn't feel a headache traveling in a country, they would definitely recommend it to others.' There are several grammatical errors and awkward phrasings throughout the text, such as 'good reason to spend money on' (dangling preposition) and 'not in a well condition' (incorrect adjective form). Nevertheless, these errors rarely impede overall communication, allowing the response to comfortably secure a Band 6.0.

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