Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-10-08

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)

It is undeniable that due to increased population transport has become an increasingly important issue. In this regards, few people believe it is important to spend most of the money on constructing new railway lines for fast trains cities while other believe opposite. This essay will be discussed not only the both perspective but also my opinion which is in favor of later's point of view in upcoming paragraphs with a logical conclusion.

To commence with, people needs to travel from city to city for job, school, college, work at a specific time so need for new railway lines are much needed thing. Since population is increased people faces a lot of problems in public transport which decreses their overall quality of life. For example corporate employes need to reach at their work place at specific time even if it is far from their homes so they need fast transport.

Nevertheless, speding large sum of many on just constructing new railway line may decrese the quality of other services like school and hospitals. There should be balanced proportion of spending money on all needed services because transport is not only single major problems. Nowdays people have their own transport vehicles so instead of working on railway line money should be utilize on better quality of streets.

In conclusion, spending the most of money on railways station is pointless while money should be divided for other services also.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5

You state a clear preference for improving existing services, especially in the introduction and conclusion, and you attempt to discuss both views. However, the discussion is only partial: the case for fast intercity trains is reduced mainly to workers needing to arrive on time, while the opposing view is supported by a general concern that rail spending could affect schools and hospitals. The point about improving streets and the mention of private vehicles do not fully explain how existing public transport should be improved. The response also falls short of the required minimum length, which limits the opportunity to develop reasons and examples. To strengthen the response, explain the benefits and drawbacks of each option more fully and support your position with a specific, relevant example.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, two body paragraphs presenting contrasting points, and a conclusion. Linking expressions such as “To commence with,” “Nevertheless,” and “In conclusion” help signal these stages. However, progression within paragraphs is sometimes unclear. For example, the first body paragraph moves from travel for work and education to general public-transport problems, then to corporate employees, without fully connecting these points. The introduction’s promise to discuss both perspectives is also expressed awkwardly, and “later’s point of view” makes the position less clear. Use simpler, more precise transitions and organise each paragraph around one main claim, followed by explanation and an example.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some topic-related vocabulary, including “constructing new railway lines,” “public transport,” “quality of life,” and “balanced proportion.” This gives the response enough language to communicate its main ideas, but the range is limited and several word choices or collocations are inaccurate or repetitive. Examples include “fast trains cities,” “large sum of many,” and “railways station”; these may make the reader pause to interpret your meaning. Spelling errors such as “speding,” “decrese,” and “employes” are also noticeable. Aim to learn common transport collocations and check spelling carefully. More precise phrases such as “high-speed rail links between cities” and “upgrade existing public transport networks” would make your argument clearer and more natural.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, including a reason clause beginning “Since population is increased” and a contrast introduced by “while.” However, complex structures are often faulty, and errors in agreement, articles, verb forms, and sentence construction occur frequently enough to affect clarity. For instance, “people needs to travel” should use a plural verb, while “people faces” has the same agreement problem. “This essay will be discussed” is an incorrect passive construction, and “Since population is increased” does not express the intended idea accurately. There are also problems with plural forms and punctuation in the long first body sentence. Practise building accurate subject–verb patterns and use shorter sentences when you are unsure of a complex structure.

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