Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-09-18

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)

Many nations are improving their railways as a means of efficient transport for public use. There is a saying that large expenditure on building new railway lines, especially those for high-speed trains, is essential. Some contend that the same capital can be spent on renovating public transport. This essay will examine both perspectives before presenting my own view, which favours prioritising existing infrastructure.

Proponents of high-speed rail argue that such projects yield substantial long-term economic benefits by connecting major cities with considerably greater efficiency. Faster travel between urban centres can stimulate business activity, tourism, and regional development, as professionals gain the ability to work across multiple cities without enduring lengthy commutes. Japan's Shinkansen network, for instance, has markedly strengthened economic ties between Tokyo and other major cities, illustrating how high-speed rail can invigorate growth across an entire region rather than a single locality.

Conversely, advocates for improving existing public transport contend that such investment addresses more urgent, everyday needs affecting considerably greater numbers of people. Local buses, trams, and metro systems are relied upon daily by millions of commuters, and improvements here, such as increased frequency or expanded routes, would benefit ordinary citizens far more directly than high-speed rail, which typically caters to a narrower group of longer-distance travellers. I think that policymakers should invest more in the existing transport facilities, as these are the fundamental means of travelling for many workers and citizens.

In my opinion, governments ought to prioritise upgrading existing public transport, since this benefits a considerably larger proportion of the population and addresses more pressing daily transportation problems, such as urban congestion, that most citizens genuinely experience.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response addresses all parts of the task thoroughly. You successfully discuss both views—building new high-speed rail networks and improving existing public transport—and present a clear personal position throughout the essay. The first body paragraph effectively outlines the economic and regional benefits of high-speed rail, supported by a relevant and well-explained example regarding Japan's Shinkansen network. The second body paragraph logically contrasts this by focusing on the everyday benefits of upgrading local buses, trams, and metro systems for a wider proportion of the population. Your stance is clearly stated in the introduction, maintained in the body paragraphs, and reaffirmed in the concluding paragraph. The ideas are well-developed and supported with relevant reasoning, aligning well with the Band 7 and Band 8 criteria descriptors for Task Response.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay displays a clear logical organization and a smooth progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct focus, beginning with an introduction that outlines the scope of the essay, followed by two well-balanced body paragraphs exploring opposing viewpoints, and ending with a concise conclusion. Cohesive devices such as 'Conversely', 'for instance', and 'in my opinion' are used effectively to guide the reader through the arguments without feeling mechanical. Paragraphing is used appropriately and supports the overall structure of the text. Referencing is clear, and the transition of ideas from general statements to specific examples and back to personal opinion is handled smoothly, satisfying the requirements for a high band score in this category.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a sufficient and flexible range of vocabulary suited to an academic discussion. Phrases such as 'substantial long-term economic benefits', 'regional development', 'urban congestion', and 'existing infrastructure' show good control of collocation and topic-specific le زا. While the vocabulary is generally precise and appropriate, there are occasional instances where simpler phrasing is used when a more sophisticated item could fit, such as 'fundamental means of travelling'. However, spelling is accurate throughout, and your lexical choices successfully convey complex ideas with clarity and precision, meeting the criteria for a solid Band 7 rating.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay features a good variety of complex sentence structures, including relative clauses, participial phrases, and conditional-like framing, such as 'Proponents of high-speed rail argue that such projects yield substantial long-term economic benefits by connecting major cities with considerably greater efficiency.' The majority of sentences are grammatically accurate, and punctuation is handled correctly throughout the text. While minor slips may occasionally occur in longer, more intricate sentences, grammatical errors are rare and never impede communication. Control over tense, agreement, and subordination is strong, earning a high score in grammatical range and accuracy.

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