Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-10-07

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)

For development of the infrastructure in various number of countries, some believe that it is mandatory to spend large monetary funds for fast connectivity between cities through construction of new railway lines whereas others do stand for investing on improving the existing public transport.

Among the people on different sides, I stand with the people who are in favour of the improving existing public transportation. The primary reason why people favour on improving existing public transport is the cost involved in construction of new fast railway lines. The cost involved in improving the existing the existing system weighs less than constructing the new fast lanes. other reason that people believe is efficiency of the existing resources where it aren't in use optimally.

On the other hand, the people who take stand with constructing new fast railway lines, They believe that placing new railways lines would help in easing the burden on the existing lines. More to that, they argue constructing the new lines would improve the safety of passengers traveling between cities.

Overall, I believe that money saved over improving the existing resources can be use of benefit for improving and buying new resources for the country's development.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You present a clear preference for improving existing public transport and mention relevant reasons, including lower costs and making better use of current resources. You also include arguments for new high-speed lines, such as reducing pressure on existing routes and improving passenger safety. However, the discussion is brief and these points are mostly asserted rather than explained or supported with examples. The conclusion introduces the idea of using savings to buy new resources, but this is not developed enough to clarify your overall reasoning. The response also falls 52 words short of the required minimum, which limits the opportunity to address both views fully. Develop each side with explanation and a relevant example, then reinforce your position in the conclusion.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, a paragraph supporting your view, a paragraph presenting the opposing view, and a conclusion. This makes the overall arrangement coherent, and transitions such as “On the other hand” help signal the change in perspective. However, progression within paragraphs is limited because ideas are listed without being connected through explanation or examples. Some linking is awkward or mechanical, as in “More to that,” and the reference in “the people who take stand” is not expressed clearly. The repeated wording about improving existing transport also makes the argument feel less developed. To strengthen cohesion, use more natural transitions and connect each reason to its consequence before moving to the next point.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant topic vocabulary, including “construction,” “railway lines,” “public transport,” “efficiency,” and “safety,” so the reader can follow the subject. There are also attempts at more formal phrasing, such as “mandatory” and “optimally.” However, several word choices and collocations are unnatural or imprecise, including “large monetary funds,” “stand for investing on,” and “take stand with.” Repetition of “existing” and “improving” also limits the range. These noticeable inaccuracies sometimes make the intended meaning less clear, although the main ideas remain understandable. Aim for natural collocations and more precise transport-related vocabulary, and check that each phrase fits the meaning you intend.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and complex sentence forms, including a relative clause in “The primary reason why people favour…” and a contrast structure in the introduction. However, control is inconsistent, and errors in verb forms, agreement, articles, and sentence boundaries occur often enough to make some sentences difficult to read. For example, “where it aren't in use” has an agreement problem, while “money saved … can be use” uses an incorrect verb form. The sentence beginning “On the other hand” also has an unnecessary capital after the comma. Build accuracy by checking subject–verb agreement and verb forms, and practise writing complex sentences that express one clear relationship at a time.

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