Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-10-16

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 5.5)

Undoubtedly, this topic is quite conflicting due to its nature and significance. While, a number of population agree on constructing new railway lines for fast trains many other hold contrasting views and beleive that money should be used on solving existing problems. Both side views are discussed in the following paragraph along with example and I will share my own opinion in this essay.

On one side, people think that new rail lines should construct because the number of world population increases day by day which leads to crowd in trains and busses. By creating new lines not only help people travel safely and timely but also reduces crowd and noise pollution.

On the other hand, people believing that the money used to built new lines should be spent on solving the current transport issues.For example,damaged roads and old trains or busses should be replaced with new ones because it leads to serious accidents and it is putting passengers life on stake.

According to my opinion, public safety is of the utmost importance so the goverment should use that money first on improving the public transport.Most of the population now a days travel on public transport and they suffer a lot because of broken doors of lighting or old engines.So, solving the current problem is faster and easier than building new thing because if it is not solved it makes the matter worst. As the saying goes a stitsch in times save nine.

Consequently, both views are of utmost important but i believe that solving the existing problem is better than creating new lines because creating required a lot of time as compared to improving.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You address both sides of the discussion and state a consistent preference for improving existing transport, particularly on safety grounds. The examples of damaged roads, ageing vehicles and broken doors help make your position relevant. However, the case for high-speed rail is only briefly explained: you mention population growth, crowding and pollution, but do not show clearly how new intercity lines would address these issues or give a specific example. Your own view is clear, though the reasons for prioritising existing services are repeated rather than fully extended. Develop each side with a more precise explanation and supporting example, then compare their benefits to make the argument more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, separate paragraphs for the two views, and a conclusion. Phrases such as “On one side,” “On the other hand,” and “According to my opinion” signal the direction of the argument, and the reader can follow your overall preference. However, some links feel mechanical, and the final paragraph repeats the safety and improvement argument rather than drawing the discussion together. The opening sentence is also general and does not establish the main contrast as directly as it could. Use clearer links between claims and explanations, and make each paragraph progress from its main point to evidence and significance. Check punctuation around transitions, for example after “For example”.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use relevant topic vocabulary, including “railway lines,” “public transport,” “noise pollution,” and “passengers,” so the main ideas are generally understandable. There are also attempts at more formal phrasing, such as “of the utmost importance.” However, noticeable spelling and word-choice errors reduce precision: “beleive,” “goverment,” and “stitsch” are misspelled, while “both side views” and “creating new thing” are unnatural or imprecise. Some expressions, including “putting passengers life on stake,” do not use the expected collocation. Build a more reliable range of transport-related phrases and proofread spelling and word forms; this will make your meaning clearer and more natural.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentence forms, including a contrast clause beginning “While” and a reason clause with “because.” The overall meaning is usually recoverable, but errors in sentence construction and agreement occur in several places. For example, “new rail lines should construct” needs a passive form, and “By creating new lines not only help” lacks a clear grammatical subject. There are also agreement and article problems in “both side views” and “it leads,” as well as punctuation issues where sentences run together. Practise forming complete clauses and checking subject–verb agreement, articles and plurals. More accurate control of these patterns would make your argument easier to read.

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