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)

In some countries, people argue that it is mandatory to spend huge amounts on building new railway tracks for commuting quickly between cities. While others believe that upgrading existing public transport systems should be more efficient. In my opinion, I believe improving existing transport systems may bring benefit to the nation's economy.

On the one hand, people in many countries believe that building new tracks and introducing fast trains could reduce their commute time. Some people do not feel comfortable with public transport, particularly office going employee. To explain, those people who have to go to another city for working purpose have to face serious issues while commuting through buses or any other public transports. Therefore, introducing faster train between major cities might alleviate their hastles.

On the other hand, some individuals think that developing existing transport systems would be better rather than investing extra funds on building rail-roads. They believe governments have to divert funds from other areas to support these infrastructures, placing a strain on public finances. For example, using those funds governments can improve other important public sectors, such as education and healthcare. Therefore, those funds also can be used during any emergency situations.

Overall, I believe developing existing infrastructures may beneficial for countries economies as well as national reserves. Having extra funds can be beneficial for their future investments and also those funds can be used in the other needed areas.

In conclusion, although building extra rail-roads can bring fortune to the fellow citizen, I believe this excessive investment can place governments on a financial pressure.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You discuss both proposed uses of public money and state a preference for improving existing transport, so the response addresses the main parts of the task. The first view is supported by the point that faster trains could reduce commuting time for people travelling between cities. However, the discussion is uneven: the case for upgrading existing systems focuses mainly on protecting funds for education, healthcare and emergencies, rather than explaining how improvements would benefit passengers or transport networks. Your position is also not fully consistent: you favour existing systems, but the conclusion concedes that new railways could “bring fortune” without clarifying how this affects your judgement. Develop each view with a specific, relevant example and make your final position consistent throughout.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable overall structure: an introduction, separate paragraphs for the two views, and a conclusion. “On the one hand” and “On the other hand” help signal the contrast, while “For example” introduces supporting detail. However, some links are mechanical or unclear. The opening “While others believe…” is a sentence fragment, and “Therefore, those funds also can be used during any emergency situations” repeats the previous point without showing the connection clearly. The final paragraph repeats the preference already stated rather than adding a clear synthesis, and the conclusion introduces a slightly different emphasis. Use linking phrases selectively and make each paragraph progress from its main claim to explanation and a relevant example.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a range of topic-related vocabulary, including “commute time,” “public transport systems,” “public finances,” and “infrastructures,” which allows you to discuss the issue. There are also attempts at more formal phrasing, such as “divert funds” and “place a strain.” However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or awkward, including “office going employee,” “working purpose,” “rail-roads,” and “bring fortune to the fellow citizen.” The spelling error “hastles” is noticeable, and repeated use of “funds” and “improve” limits variety. Aim for precise, natural expressions such as “commuters,” “travel for work,” and “reduce pressure on public finances,” and check spelling and collocations when editing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and complex sentences, including a relative clause in “those people who have to go to another city” and a participle phrase in “placing a strain on public finances.” Meaning is generally understandable, but some sentence structures and grammatical forms are inaccurate. “While others believe…” is a dependent clause presented as a sentence, and “I believe improving existing transport systems may bring benefit” needs a more complete grammatical construction. Other examples include “office going employee” (number and article), “faster train” (article or plural), and “may beneficial” (missing verb). There are also awkward constructions such as “those funds also can be used.” Practise complete sentence formation, subject–verb patterns and articles, then proofread for agreement and missing verbs.

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.