Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-10-01
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)
Mnay people believed that constructing new railway line for very fast trains between the cities and other says that the best way to improve connectivity among differnt cities is to improve existing public transport. So for that both the views will be discussed in following paragraphs with relevant example.
The is true that, the best and cheapest mode of transportation is railway as any person can travel from one place to another in very cheap cost and the new construction of railway will not only save time for travelling, but it will also help to reduce carbon emission produce by differnt vehicles. Moreover, new railway lines will help the existing railway line to reduce the burden and traffic produce by travellers, as more amount of railway lines is equal to better amount of traffic management system.
On the other hand, other counterclaim this view by saying that, the best and good possible route to connect with differnt cities in less time can be done by improving our existing public transport. As with proper planning and new urban public transport design existing transportation system can be restored and become more efficient for long term use. Additionally, by spending more amount of money on existing transportation system, will save a lot of time as railway construction takes a lot of time and efforts.
In conclusion, it is true that improvement can be done in existing transportation system, but the idea of constructing a new railway line will be more beneficial in long run, as traffic problem can be increased in urban cities.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5
The response addresses all parts of the prompt by discussing both views—constructing new high-speed rail versus improving existing public transport—and provides a clear personal opinion in the conclusion. However, the ideas are somewhat limited and under-developed. For example, the argument about reducing carbon emissions is stated simply without extension, and the points regarding traffic management lack specific supporting evidence or examples, relying instead on generalized assertions. While the position is visible throughout the essay, the restricted depth of the supporting points places this response in the target band.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The essay displays some overall organization with a recognizable introduction, body paragraphs addressing each viewpoint, and a conclusion. However, there is a lack of clear overall progression, and the logical flow between sentences can feel disjointed. Cohesive devices are sometimes inadequate or repetitive, such as the frequent use of 'Also', 'Moreover', and 'Additionally' to link sentences. Paragraphing is attempted, but the grouping of ideas lacks smooth transitions. Referencing is occasionally unclear, making it harder for the reader to follow the exact line of reasoning throughout the text.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is limited but minimally adequate for the task. The writer attempts some less common vocabulary, such as 'transportation system' and 'urban public transport design', but these attempts are accompanied by noticeable errors in word choice, spelling, and word form. Examples of lexical slips include 'Mnay' instead of 'Many', 'differnt' instead of 'different', 'cheap cost' instead of 'low cost', and 'counterclaim this view' instead of 'counter this view'. These lexical inaccuracies and spelling errors occur frequently and occasionally cause some difficulty or hesitation for the reader.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The writer demonstrates a limited range of grammatical structures, relying heavily on straightforward patterns while attempts at complex sentences are frequently faulty. There are numerous grammatical errors involving subject-verb agreement, article use, and plurals, such as 'railway line' instead of 'railway lines', 'the best and good possible route', and 'traffic produce by travellers'. Punctuation errors, such as comma splices and missing commas after introductory phrases, also persist. These frequent errors in grammar and structure can cause some difficulty for the reader, though the core meaning usually remains discernible.
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