Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-10-13

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 6.0)

Some people believe that the government should construct new railway lines between cities, while others argue that the money should be spent on improving existing public transport. I think constructing railway lines is more benefical for a country.

People who favour spending more on improving public transport argue that public transport helps in reducing environemntal problems. People think that public transport can help in mass transit, which reduces the amount of carbon dioxide emitted in the air by a large number of private vehicles on road. Reduced carbon dioxide emission slows down global warming. For instance, if there is a reliable and designated public transport for a university many students might use it to go to university, which would reduce carbon dioxide emission compared to when every student uses their own vehicle.

On the other hand, people who support construction of new railway lines between cities for fast trains believe that this could benefit a country's economy. Trains are not only used to carry passengers but are also used to transport goods. Constructing railway lines for very fast trains can help farmers transport their goods before they spoil thus, maximizing benefits and minimizing losses. For example, if it takes 5 days for farmers to transport their produce to the nearest city, a fast train would most likely take less time to reach the nearest city as traffic has not impact on the train's speed.

In conclusion, people might say that investing in public transport is the right decision as it helps protect environment but the economic benefit of constructing new railway lines outweighs the benefit of public transport, so I think the government should invest in new railway lines for fast trains.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You address both views and state a clear opinion in the introduction and conclusion: you favour new railway lines because of their economic benefits. The discussion of public transport gives a relevant environmental reason, while the railway paragraph explains how faster freight could help farmers reduce spoilage. These examples make the response relevant, but the two sides are not developed equally: the public-transport example focuses on students and emissions, without considering other benefits of improving existing services, and the economic case relies mainly on transporting farm produce. Explain more fully how each investment benefits the public and why one benefit outweighs the other. The position is clear, but its supporting reasoning needs fuller development.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a clear overall structure: an introduction, one paragraph for each view, and a conclusion that restates your position. Linking phrases such as “On the other hand” and “In conclusion” help readers follow the argument. However, some connections feel mechanical, and the progression within paragraphs could be clearer. For example, the public-transport paragraph moves from environmental benefits to a university example, but does not explicitly connect that example back to the broader case for improving existing services. In the railway paragraph, the shift from passenger trains to goods could also be signposted more carefully. Use referencing and transitions to show how each example supports the paragraph’s main point, rather than relying mainly on standard linking phrases.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of topic vocabulary, including “mass transit,” “carbon dioxide emitted,” “global warming,” and “transport goods.” These choices communicate the main ideas, and the examples are generally easy to understand. There are, however, some spelling and word-choice errors, such as “benefical” and “environemntal,” and a few phrases are imprecise or unnatural, including “traffic has not impact on the train’s speed” and “protect environment.” Repeated use of “benefit” and “transport” also limits variety. Aim for more accurate collocations and a wider selection of terms for economic gains, emissions, and public services; proofread spelling and check that each phrase expresses the intended relationship precisely.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, including conditional structures such as “if there is a reliable… public transport… many students might use it” and a relative clause in “a fast train… as traffic has not impact.” Most sentences convey their meaning, but some grammatical errors remain. For example, “traffic has not impact” needs a grammatical construction such as “traffic has no impact,” and “a reliable and designated public transport” has an awkward article and noun pattern. The long sentence beginning “For instance, if…” would also benefit from clearer punctuation and control of its clauses. Continue practising articles, countability, and sentence boundaries, while retaining the complex structures you are attempting.

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.