Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-10-15

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 6.5)

In many parts of the world, transport system between cities has become a major topic of debate. Opinion is divided over whether development of costly high speed railway network is required or the state should rather invest in pre-existing public transport. Although, both approaches have their supporters, I would argue that improving original transport infrastructure is the better alternative.

The supporters of the former viewpoint argue that they save valuable travel time during long journeys between cities. According to them, if high speed train network is established it would boost the nations economy and benefit every member of the society. Ahmedabad-Mumbai high speed railway line is a great example for this after completion it is said that it will cut travel time by 50 percent.

However, this approach overlooks that it will never be quicker than airplanes. Therefore, many people think that it is more beneficial to invest in traditional transport facilities because it impacts a significantly higher number of travelers. In other words, the government can improve various modes of transport at the same cost like roads, public buses and trains. Not only does it increase convenience but it also improves public safety. Better roads, for instance, will make travelling between cities safer for people commuting via cars as well as those who travel by buses.

In conclusion, there is some truth in both arguments, but I believe that development of pre-existing ways of transport should be prioritized over high investments in high speed train lines as a larger number of population is benefitted; furthermore, it is comparatively much more cost effective.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You address both views and state a consistent preference for improving existing transport, so the response meets the main requirements of the task. The case for high-speed rail includes reduced journey times and a specific Ahmedabad–Mumbai example, while the case for existing transport explains that improvements could benefit more travellers and improve safety. However, the first view is less fully developed: the claim that the railway would boost the national economy and benefit everyone is asserted rather than explained, and the comparison with air travel is not supported with detail. To strengthen the response, explain the benefits and limitations of each option more fully and connect examples directly to your reasoning. Your position is clear, but the supporting ideas are not yet consistently extended.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The essay has a clear overall structure: an introduction, separate paragraphs for the two views, and a conclusion that restates your preference. Transitions such as “However,” “In other words,” and “In conclusion” help readers follow the argument, and the ideas generally progress logically. Some connections are less smooth or precise. For example, “this approach overlooks that it will never be quicker than airplanes” shifts from the high-speed rail argument to a comparison without explaining how that supports investment in existing transport. The sentence about the Ahmedabad–Mumbai line also runs two ideas together. Aim to make the relationship between each claim and the next explicit, and use linking phrases to show contrast or consequence rather than simply marking paragraph stages.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

You use an adequate range of topic vocabulary, including “high speed railway network,” “public transport,” “travel time,” “commuting,” and “cost effective.” These choices make the subject clear, and phrases such as “public safety” and “traditional transport facilities” show an attempt to use more formal language. Some word choices and collocations are imprecise, however: “original transport infrastructure” and “pre-existing ways of transport” sound unnatural, while “a larger number of population” is not idiomatic. “The nations economy” also needs an apostrophe and a more precise form. These issues do not prevent understanding, but they limit precision and naturalness. Prefer established collocations such as “existing transport infrastructure” and “a larger proportion of the population,” and check word forms and possessives.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5

You use a mix of simple and complex structures, including the concessive opening “Although both approaches have their supporters” and the inversion “Not only does it increase convenience.” Most sentences communicate the intended meaning, but some grammatical and punctuation errors remain. In “Although, both approaches have their supporters,” the comma after “Although” is unnecessary; the sentence also needs to be joined to the main clause rather than left as a fragment. “Ahmedabad-Mumbai high speed railway line is a great example for this after completion it is said…” contains a missing article and a comma splice. There are also agreement and article issues in “a larger number of population is benefitted.” Use full stops or conjunctions to separate clauses, and check articles and subject–verb agreement when revising.

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