Band 4.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-10-12

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 4.5)

For peoples lives, few things are more crucial than spending money on improving public transport. Although some argue that Government should spent more money on high speed railway. In many developed and developing countries, a substantial amount of money and resources is allocated to improvement of public transportation system as it often necessitates the use of various resources such as introducing more metro rails, construction of new roads, stations and so on. Nowadays many would agree that a contemporary society has transcended its traditional boundaries and will soon become boundless in its pursuit of improving public transport for the benefits of people lives. Nevertheless, I firmly believe that, people lives should be improved through constructing new fast trains lines in cities for the benefits of peoples lives.

Naturally fast trains in the form of development is considered essential for peoples lives creating inexhaustible facilities for living standards that are not available from other sources.

Moreover, it demonstrates unparalleled benefits for passengers, permeating and enhancing almost every conceivable sector of society.

Since people seek development and fulfillment through high speed trains, ample investment is imperative to elevate modern living standards. If this is adopted by Government and transportation authorities alike, many individual stand to benefit significantly. Fast trains services in cities such as China and Singapore for instance has emerged as a pivotal model for development , delivering enhance services for their people.

On the other hand, there are several issues spending money on improving existing

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.0

The response takes a position in favour of fast trains, but it does not adequately discuss both views as required. The case for high-speed rail is expressed in broad claims such as “inexhaustible facilities” and benefits to living standards, without explaining specific advantages or supporting them with clear examples. The opposing view is only introduced in the unfinished final line, “there are several issues spending money on improving existing…”, so the essay does not explain why investment in current transport might be preferable. The opening also shifts between supporting general public-transport improvements and new fast-train lines, making the position less clear. The response is five words below the required minimum. Develop both sides with relevant reasons and examples, then state a consistent, clearly supported opinion.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.0

There is an attempt to organise the response into an introduction, a paragraph supporting fast trains, and a contrasting section signalled by “On the other hand.” However, the argument does not progress coherently: the introduction repeats the idea of improving people’s lives, while the second paragraph makes several broad claims without showing how they connect. The final paragraph stops after an incomplete opening, leaving the contrast undeveloped. Linking expressions such as “Moreover” and “Since” are present, but they do not compensate for unclear relationships between ideas or the lack of a complete structure. Plan one paragraph for each view and a conclusion, and use each paragraph to develop a distinct point with explanation and an example.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The response attempts a range of topic-related and less common vocabulary, including “substantial amount,” “allocated,” “pivotal model,” and “unparalleled benefits.” This shows an effort to move beyond basic wording. However, several choices are unnatural or imprecise in context, such as “inexhaustible facilities,” “permeating and enhancing almost every conceivable sector,” and “development” where a more specific transport-related term is needed. Repeated references to “people lives” also limit variety and precision. Some phrases sound inflated without adding clear meaning, which makes the argument harder to follow. Prefer accurate, natural collocations and concrete transport vocabulary, such as capacity, journey times, reliability, and affordability.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response attempts complex sentence forms, including clauses beginning “Although,” “Since,” and “If,” but control is inconsistent and errors sometimes make the meaning difficult to follow. For example, “Although some argue that Government should spent” has an incorrect verb form and is left as a fragment, while “Fast trains services … has emerged” has problems with number agreement. Other examples include “many individual stand” and “for peoples lives,” where plural forms and possessives are not controlled. The final sentence is also incomplete. These recurring issues sit alongside some longer sentences whose structure is difficult to track. Practise complete sentence construction, subject–verb agreement, verb forms after modal verbs, and possessive forms; then check each sentence for a clear main clause.

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