Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-10-02
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)
In many countries, some people argue that it is important to spend large amounts of money on building new railway lines because of fast travel between cities. Others believe that money should be spent on upgrading existing public transport. This essay will discuss both views and explain why I believe investing in existing public transport is so much better.
To begin with, railway lines give faster travel between different cities and save travelling time. High-speed trains can reduce travel time between major cities. As a result, individuals can reach their destination quickly in any kind of emergency such as work, education and business. For example, students may easily reach their exam center on fast trains. In addition, another benefit of building fast railway lines is that they can boost economic growth and create opportunities for employment. Construction of new railway lines requires many workers, engineers, and people in various professions. As a result, it can have a positive impact on our economic system.
On the other hand, many people depend on public transport. Daily commuters need better services. Improving public transport can make travel better. Many youngsters use buses, local trains, and metro systems every day. Upgrading this transport can make travel convenient and safe. Therefore, the government should spend money on reconstructing bus stations, cleaner vehicles, and frequent services. Moreover, public transport is more affordable for the public. Not everyone can afford private transport or expensive high-speed train tickets. Affordable buses, trains, and metro services allow people to travel at a low cost.
In my opinion, the government must spend money on upgrading public transport facilities. Easy and convenient travel can make travel safer for people.
In conclusion, although railway lines give faster travel and people can reach their destination in a quick way. I believe that public transport is more convenient for people because it is affordable and better facilities give people easy travel.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5
The response addresses all parts of the task by discussing both views—building new high-speed railway lines and improving existing public transport—and provides a clear personal opinion in the introduction and conclusion. However, the ideas remain somewhat limited and under-developed. For instance, the points about economic growth and employment are stated generally without sufficient extension or concrete illustration, as seen when the writer simply notes that construction 'requires many workers, engineers, and people in various professions.' To reach a higher level, the ideas need to be more fully elaborated with deeper explanations and more specific examples.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
There is a coherent overall arrangement with a clear attempt to structure the essay into an introduction, body paragraphs addressing each viewpoint, and a conclusion. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate ideas. However, the progression is sometimes hampered by mechanical and repetitive cohesive devices, such as the frequent reliance on 'As a result' and transitional phrases like 'To begin with' and 'On the other hand'. Referencing is generally clear, but the logical flow between sentences can feel abrupt, lacking the smoother transitions that characterise higher-level writing.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
The vocabulary used is minimally adequate for the task, providing enough range to discuss the topic of public transport and high-speed rail. The writer attempts some less common vocabulary, such as 'economic growth', 'daily commuters', and 'affordable', but there are noticeable limitations and occasional inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'fast travel between cities' instead of 'high-speed rail travel' or 'rapid transit'. Spelling is generally accurate, but the overall lexical range restricts the precision and sophistication of the argument.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5
The writer demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, attempting structures like conditional and relative clauses. However, there is a limited range of grammatical structures overall, and attempts at complex sentences are sometimes faulty or overly simplistic in execution, as observed in the concluding sentence fragment ('although railway lines give faster travel and people can reach their destination in a quick way. I believe...'). Frequent errors in punctuation and clause connection occur, though they rarely impede overall communication. Greater control over complex sentence patterns and punctuation is needed to progress further.
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