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)

People have different views about whether spending large of money in contacting new railway for speed trians or have to be spent in improving existing public transport. In my opinion i believe that spending money on railway trains is much better for high speed between cities .

On the one hand some people believe that pending money in constructing new railway lines for higher speed between cities because its allows passengers to travel over the cities in short time for example they can travel between distant cities in few time instead of spensing an entire day on the road

On the other hand others argue that spending money in existing public transport is better because its reduce traffic congestion also or reducing carbons emissions and improve air quality for example if more people took the bus instead of cars andtrains there will be fewer vehicle in the road

In conclusion, although both viws have their merits .i believe that trains have a high spee between cities all passengers prefer taking it .

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You address both sides of the discussion and state a preference for high-speed rail, so the response is relevant to the task. However, the position is not fully clear or consistently explained: the opening says rail is “much better,” while the conclusion gives only a brief, unclear reason that passengers prefer it. The benefits of faster travel and improved public transport are both mentioned, but each is supported by only a short example and little explanation. The response is also 78 words below the required minimum, which limits the opportunity to develop the arguments. To strengthen the response, explain who benefits from each investment, add specific supporting detail, and make your own view clear throughout.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a basic overall structure: an introduction, one paragraph for each view, and a conclusion. The signposts “On the one hand,” “On the other hand,” and “In conclusion” help readers identify the stages of the discussion. However, progression within the paragraphs is limited, and the ideas are not always connected smoothly. For example, the point about buses reducing congestion and emissions is followed by an example that also mentions trains, making the comparison less clear. Some linking is mechanical, and punctuation around transitions is inconsistent. Develop each paragraph around one main claim, then explain and illustrate it in a clear sequence; use pronouns and linking phrases carefully so the relationships between ideas remain clear.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some topic-related vocabulary, including “railway lines,” “public transport,” “traffic congestion,” and “air quality,” which helps communicate the main subject. However, the range is limited, and several inaccurate word choices or spellings make parts difficult to understand, such as “contacting new railway,” “speed trians,” and “pending money.” Some phrases are also unnatural, including “travel over the cities” and “in few time.” These errors sometimes obscure the intended meaning, which keeps the vocabulary control limited. Build a bank of accurate transport collocations and check spelling carefully. For example, use “construct high-speed rail lines,” “invest in public transport,” and “travel between cities more quickly.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, including a reason-and-example structure beginning “because” and a conditional example about people taking the bus. However, the range is limited, and errors occur frequently enough to make some sentences difficult to follow. Examples include “some people believe that pending money … because its allows,” where the clause structure and verb agreement are faulty, and “there will be fewer vehicle,” where the plural form is incorrect. Capitalisation and punctuation are also inconsistent, as in “i” and the full stop before “i believe” in the conclusion. Practise building complete sentences with a clear subject and verb, and check agreement, articles, plurals, and sentence boundaries before submitting.

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