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)

The claim that government spending on transportation has divided into two schools of thoughts. In this regard, it is proposed that a few individual think it is essential to spend huge amount of money on constructing new railway lines, although many disagree and contended that money should be spent on improving the current public transport. I, for one, believe that the proposal of improving the existing transport is an insufficient measure; however without weighing all the factors carefully would be unwise to say the least. This essay will explore the both aspects of this discussion from broad set of socio-economic lenses.

To commence with, let us focus on the thoughts presented by the proponent of current public transport. First and foremost, spending money on public transport can bring comfort to the travelers as example, fixing the buses those are damage and can not run properly can make life easier for the travelers. However, despite this benefits improvement to the public transport is not the ideal solution because this types of project needs huge amount of money and does not bring much value.

However, we can not ignore the notion advocated by the supporters of building new railway lines for fast trains. It is my view that by constructing new lines will able to connect city to city quickly while, it will mitigate the time in this journey . This is likely to create more business because of the less time and also will reduce the goods prices.

It is worth considering by building more and more lines for faster train it will make the healthcare system more effective. In the emergency time faster train support more than the other public transport which is more vital.

To conclude, after taking into account all the factors outlined in this essay, I opined that the opposing rationales are subjective, if not feeble while supporting ideas are fiercely logical and unyielding. Therefore, I stand strongly to support on building new railway lines for very fast trains between cities.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You discuss both options and state a clear preference for new high-speed railway lines in the conclusion. The essay also gives relevant reasons, including faster travel, business activity, goods prices and emergency healthcare. However, the discussion is only partially developed: the case for improving existing transport is reduced mainly to repairing buses, followed by the unsupported claim that such projects cost a great deal and offer little value. The benefits of high-speed rail are also asserted rather than explained with a specific example or evidence. The opening briefly sounds undecided—“without weighing all the factors carefully would be unwise”—before your final position becomes clear. Develop each side with fuller reasoning and make your own view consistent throughout.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, separate paragraphs for the two views, an additional point supporting high-speed rail, and a conclusion. Linking expressions such as “To commence with,” “However,” and “To conclude” help signal the stages of the argument. Nevertheless, progression is not always clear. The first body paragraph shifts from the benefits of public transport to dismissing them without a developed link, while the healthcare point appears in a separate paragraph without being connected to the preceding argument. Some transitions are mechanical, and references such as “this benefits” and “this types of project” are unclear. Organise the body around one developed paragraph for each view, then connect reasons and examples explicitly.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You attempt a range of topic-related and formal vocabulary, including “constructing new railway lines,” “socio-economic lenses,” “mitigate,” and “advocated.” This shows an effort to express ideas beyond basic vocabulary. However, several choices are inaccurate or unnatural and sometimes make the meaning harder to follow: “divided into two schools of thoughts,” “the proposal of improving the existing transport,” and “support on building” are examples. Some wording is also unnecessarily elaborate, as in “fiercely logical and unyielding,” which does not clearly describe the argument. Aim for precise, natural collocations and use formal vocabulary only when it fits the meaning. Repeated use of “money,” “transport,” and “more” also limits variety.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and complex sentences, including a concession with “although” and a conditional structure beginning “without weighing all the factors.” However, complex constructions are often faulty, and errors occur frequently enough to affect clarity. For example, “a few individual think” has a subject–verb agreement error, while “by constructing new lines will able to connect” lacks a clear subject and auxiliary. Other examples include “fixing the buses those are damage,” “despite this benefits,” and “this types of project,” which show problems with clause formation, agreement, and number. Punctuation also disrupts some sentences, such as the comma after “quickly.” Build accuracy first with clear subject–verb patterns, then add subordinate clauses and check each sentence for agreement and complete structure.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.