Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-10-17

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)

It is argued that governments should spend large amounts of money on constructing new high-speed railway lines between cities. Others believe that the money should be spent on improving existing public transport. In my opinion, I strongly believe that improving current transport services should be given more importance because it benefits a larger number of people.

On the one hand, people believe that constructing new high-speed railway lines is necessary for the development of a country. This is because people can travel between cities in a shorter time, which is useful for businesspeople who need to attend meetings in different places. Moreover, faster trains may encourage people to use public transport instead of private cars. For instance, if people can reach another city quickly by train, they may avoid travelling by car, which can help reduce traffic congestion and air pollution. Therefore, constructing high-speed railway lines can make long-distance travel easier and support economic development.

On the other hand, I believe that improving existing public transport is more important for people's daily lives. This is because many students and workers depend on buses, local trains and metro services to reach their destinations. If the government provides more buses and maintains existing trains properly, people can travel comfortably without facing too many delays. Moreover, affordable public transport is helpful for people who cannot afford private vehicles. For instance, increasing the number of buses during busy hours can reduce overcrowding and help workers reach their offices on time. Therefore, improving current transport services can solve the daily problems faced by a large number of people.

In conclusion, although constructing high-speed railway lines has several benefits, I believe that improving existing public transport should receive more attention because it is useful for more people in their everyday lives.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You address both views and state a clear, consistent opinion: improving existing services should take priority because they benefit more people. The case for high-speed rail is relevant, with business travel, reduced car use and possible environmental benefits; the opposing case is supported with examples involving students, workers and bus frequency. This meets the task well, while the explanation is not equally developed throughout: the economic-development claim is asserted rather than illustrated, and the benefits of new lines are discussed more generally than the everyday problems of existing services. To strengthen the response further, explain one consequence or provide a specific example for each main point, and qualify broad claims such as high-speed rail reducing car use.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall structure: an introduction, separate paragraphs for the two views, and a conclusion that restates your position. Ideas within each paragraph generally follow a sensible sequence, and examples support the points they follow. However, cohesion relies heavily on repeated, predictable signals such as “On the one hand,” “Moreover,” “For instance,” and “Therefore.” The repeated “This is because” pattern also makes the development feel somewhat mechanical. Some links could be made more naturally by showing the relationship between ideas directly, rather than adding another signpost. For example, connect the bus-frequency example to the claim about reducing delays and overcrowding in a more integrated sentence.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

Your vocabulary is adequate for discussing transport and public spending, and phrases such as “traffic congestion,” “air pollution,” “overcrowding” and “daily lives” communicate the topic clearly. You also use relevant terms including “high-speed railway lines” and “public transport.” However, several common words and phrases recur, particularly “improving,” “people,” “useful” and “current transport services,” which limits flexibility and precision. Some expressions are broad, such as “support economic development” and “travel comfortably,” without specifying the particular benefit. Aim to vary repeated wording and choose more precise collocations where appropriate. This would make the discussion more exact while preserving the clear, accessible style of your response.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, and most sentences are clear. Subordinate clauses are handled effectively in examples such as “if people can reach another city quickly by train” and “who cannot afford private vehicles.” The conditional structures and relative clauses help explain cause and effect without obscuring your meaning. At the same time, sentence patterns are often similar, especially the repeated “This is because…” openings, so the range feels somewhat limited. There are also some awkward constructions, including “I strongly believe that improving current transport services should be given more importance,” where a more direct structure would be smoother. Practise varying clause openings and using concise active constructions while maintaining your generally clear control.

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