Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-10-20

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 5.0)

In the contemporary era, it is widely acknowleged that most of the countries people believe that it is crucial to spend large amount of money on constructing new railway lines for fast trains. However, others state that money should be spent on improving public transport. Both the statements provide positive and balanced approch. I will elaborate both the views in following paragraphs.

To commence with, there are several beneficial factors of constructing railway lines for fast trains like for distant areas it is good for travel from trains and it is less time consuming. For instance, in Delhi metro train covers ditance in less hours and it is the fastest train in India. Moreover, government should invest more in railway lines so that people can take a lot of benefits of trains. In addition, cost of the ticket is also convenient and people can easily afford it.

On the contrary, it is considered that authorities should spent more money on improving public transport, therefore it is helpful for the commuters to travel regularly by public transport. Moreover, local communities use public transport for the local distance rather than trains. For instance, in many countries individuals use buses, taxis for official work and for local buses there is no need to wait for long hours.

In conclusion, both the statements give positive impact on the society and it is a great acheivement and improvement of the railway lines and public transport for the welfare of the society. Every individual take benefits of this improvements.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.0

You address both views by discussing fast railway lines and improvements to local public transport, and you include a concluding statement. However, the discussion is minimal: the benefits of fast trains are mostly asserted, while the public-transport paragraph gives only a brief point about local journeys. Your own opinion is not clearly stated; saying both options have a “positive impact” does not explain which investment you support or how you would balance them. The Delhi Metro example is also not clearly connected to the case for intercity high-speed rail. The response is 245 words, so it falls five words short of the required minimum; eight words copied from the prompt were not counted. Develop and support each view, then state a definite position.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, one paragraph for each view, and a conclusion. Transitions such as “To commence with,” “On the contrary,” and “In conclusion” help signal these stages. However, progression within paragraphs is limited, and some links are mechanical or unclear. For example, “Moreover” introduces another claim about government investment without explaining how it follows from the travel-time point. The conclusion repeats that both views are positive rather than drawing together the discussion or clarifying your position. Build a clearer sequence by giving each paragraph a main claim, explaining it, and then showing how the example supports it; use linking phrases only where they express a genuine relationship.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some topic-related vocabulary, including “railway lines,” “commuters,” “public transport,” and “local distance,” so the reader can follow the general subject. However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations are inaccurate or repetitive, such as “positive and balanced approch,” “covers ditance,” and “take a lot of benefits.” Spelling errors in “acknowleged,” “approch,” “ditance,” and “acheivement” also reduce accuracy. Some phrases, including “fastest train in India,” do not precisely describe the example being discussed. Aim for more precise transport vocabulary and check spelling; use natural combinations such as “benefit from,” “travel time,” and “high-speed rail.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more extended sentence forms, including a sentence beginning “so that” and one using “rather than.” However, control is inconsistent, and errors occur in basic sentence patterns as well as longer constructions. For example, “most of the countries people believe” lacks a clear grammatical connection between its subjects, “government should invest” is missing an article, and “Every individual take benefits” has a subject–verb agreement error. The sentence about local transport and waiting is also awkwardly joined, making the relationship between its ideas unclear. Practise accurate subject–verb agreement, articles, and sentence boundaries, then build longer sentences from these reliable patterns.

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