Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)

Some people from various countries argue that money should spent in building the new railway tracks to improve the traffic speed in the cities. Also some of them think that this money should spent to improve the previous transport facilities.

In my opinion, new construction is also important however, the improvement should also be made in the previous transport.

On the one hand, new ways of installing the railway lines is a great approach. As it is helpful for the public moreover these kind of public transports are cheap and convenient. If we spent a large amount of money on this, a great betterment will made. Similarly, public transportation is mostly availed by the students and those who are office going so they need fast transport. It will help them to be on time.

On the other hand, the previously existing transports also need improvement. Because a great amount of money on these facilities was spent in the past. Although they are old but still helpful and public is using them. Keeping these points in view, if more better resources will given to the individuals they will more thankful to the authorities. Moreover a great funding in this aspect could be made for this purpose. People want to raise more funds when the see the better results.

Concluding all these aspects, both views should be focused to improve the transport in the cities. Fast travelling is crucial however, the good quality of material for the railway tracks is also main point. Therefore, quantity as well as quality are both important .

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You address both proposed uses of funding and state a position: “both views should be focused.” The response also gives relevant reasons, including that public transport is used by students and office workers and that existing services remain useful. However, the discussion is only partially developed. The case for high-speed rail is mainly that it is “cheap and convenient” and helps people arrive on time, while the case for upgrading current services relies on their past cost and continued use. These points need clearer explanation and specific examples. Your opinion that both deserve attention is present, but it is not prioritised or justified, so the reader is left unsure how funding should be balanced.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, separate paragraphs beginning “On the one hand” and “On the other hand,” and a conclusion. This helps the reader identify the two views. However, progression within paragraphs is sometimes unclear, and several linking expressions feel mechanical or do not show a clear relationship. For example, “Similarly” introduces a point about transport users rather than a closely parallel idea, while “Keeping these points in view” and “Moreover” do not make the argument’s development easy to follow. The conclusion introduces track-material quality without developing it earlier. To improve, organise each body paragraph around one main claim, explain it, and connect the supporting detail directly to that claim.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some task-relevant vocabulary, including “railway lines,” “public transportation,” “funding,” and “authorities,” and the meaning is generally recoverable. However, the range is limited, and several word choices or collocations are noticeably inaccurate or vague. “Previous transport facilities” is repeated where “existing public transport” would be more natural; “a great betterment” and “more better resources” are not idiomatic; and “office going” is an awkward description of commuters. These choices sometimes make the argument less precise. Build a more accurate set of topic phrases for infrastructure, service quality, and investment, and check whether words naturally combine before using them.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, including a contrast with “Although they are old but still helpful” and conditional forms such as “if we spent a large amount of money.” However, complex structures are often faulty, and frequent errors can make the reader pause. Examples include missing auxiliaries in “money should spent” and “a great betterment will made,” as well as the incorrect combination “Although … but.” There are also problems with sentence boundaries, such as “On the one hand, new ways of installing the railway lines is a great approach. As it is helpful…” where the second part is a fragment. Practise accurate passive forms, agreement, and complete sentences before adding more complex clauses.

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