Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-10-09

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)

In some countries a few people believe that we should spend a lot of money on only railways while, other think that we have to improve our old travelling system that we have already. In this essay we are going to discuss both view and opinion.

On the one hand, a number of people from different countries believe that trains are only good transport to travel we must construct new railway lines for fast trains for future. For example, In India there is a orange line system which is very cheap. Most of the population go to work and in corner of land through railway. They think that it is good way to reduce traffic and pollution also railway lines go through many cities which is very best.

On the other hand, some have another view they say that instead of spending money on one type of transport system we must make sure our old transport better we improve it. For example, in some countries old busses are very common and in lot quantity. Like green buses are very popular. government should repair roads in must spend cash to fix old system. It is a good way for economy. Old transport is very common in few parts of world railway cannot exchange it.

In my opinion, railway is not a good solution for transport we cannot travel through only railway. Some small town are not connected to railway system. countries should improve our old transport ways and fix them.

In conclusion, in any way of transport there are advantages and disadvantages in railway and existing transport countries should introduce new railway and also fix old way of transporting.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You discuss both proposed approaches and state a clear preference for improving existing transport: “countries should improve our old transport ways and fix them.” This addresses the main parts of the question. However, the discussion is only partially developed. The case for new railways relies mainly on broad claims that they reduce traffic and pollution, while the example of India’s “orange line system” is not explained clearly enough to show how it supports high-speed rail between cities. The existing-transport argument also needs more specific reasoning about how repairs or upgrades would benefit passengers. Your conclusion introduces a compromise—building railways and fixing existing transport—which is not fully reconciled with your earlier view against railway investment. Develop and support each position more clearly, and keep your own stance consistent.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a coherent overall arrangement: an introduction, separate paragraphs beginning “On the one hand” and “On the other hand,” a paragraph for your opinion, and a conclusion. These signposts make the two views easy to identify. However, progression within paragraphs is sometimes unclear, and linking can feel mechanical. For example, “For example” and “Like” introduce examples without explaining their connection to the main claim, while “In my opinion” repeats a position that the conclusion then partly changes. Some references are also vague, such as “it” in “It is a good way for economy.” To strengthen the organisation, make each paragraph follow a clear claim–explanation–example sequence and use more precise references and transitions.

Lexical Resource: Band 4.5

You use a basic range of topic vocabulary, including “railway lines,” “traffic,” “pollution,” “buses,” and “roads,” so the general subject is understandable. However, vocabulary is limited and repetitive, with broad phrases such as “a lot of money,” “old transport,” and “good way” doing much of the work. Several choices or combinations are unclear or unnatural, including “orange line system,” “in corner of land,” “in lot quantity,” and “railway cannot exchange it.” These make some examples difficult to interpret. Aim for more precise transport terms and natural collocations, such as “existing public transport network,” “high-speed rail links,” and “serve remote towns.” Check word forms and spelling as well, including “busses,” which should be “buses.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

You attempt both simple and longer sentence forms, and the paragraph structure helps readers follow the main points. However, the range is limited, and attempts to join ideas often contain errors that can make meaning difficult to follow. For example, “some have another view they say” needs punctuation or a linking word, and “government should repair roads in must spend cash” has an incomplete, confusing structure. There are also recurring agreement, article, and plural errors, as in “other think,” “both view,” and “Some small town.” Sentence boundaries and capitalization need attention too, including the comma splice in “In my opinion, railway is not a good solution for transport we cannot travel.” Practise accurate compound sentences before adding more complex structures.

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