Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)

In some countries, many people believe that spending large amount of money on constructing new railway lines for faster communication is necessary. In contrast, others think that instead of spending money on new railway lines, money should be spent to improve existing transports. In my opinion, I believe that spending money on new railway tracks are better for communication rather than spending money on existing platform. This essay will describe both of the views and explain why I think that it's better to spend money on new railway lines.

Many people believe that it is a waste of money to spend on new railway lines. They think that we should spend money to improve our existing public transports for better communication. They tend to think that because building new railway lines take more time to develop and need a large sum of money. Other than that the current vehicles that are polluting the environment should be taken care of. For instance, currently available public transports may discharge carbon di-oxide which is harmful for our enviroment. They believe that we should take necessary measures and spend money on reducing them as the vehicles are already running.

In contrast, Some people think that spending large amount of money on constructing new railway lines are necessary to communicate. Therefore, they believe that this step will reduce the traffic congestion, make communication faster while maintaining the time. By building more railway lines for faster trains, communication between cities will be faster. As trains will be more available for people, they are not going to use private vehicles much. For example, if people have the opportunity to go to other cities via train in a more faster and cheaper way, they are not going to use their private cars. As a result, less carbon emission, traffic congestion will occur. Similarly, trains tend to follow a schedule, in that case time will be maintained too. In my opinion, spending large amount of money on constructing new railway lines for faster communication is more important.

In conclusion, both views have their pros and cons. However, In my view, the advantages of spending large amount of money on constructing new railway lines for faster communication outweigh the advantages of spending money to improve existing transports.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You address both views and state a clear preference for building new railway lines in the introduction and conclusion. The supporting points are relevant: you explain that existing transport can pollute, while faster trains could reduce car use, congestion and travel time. The example of people choosing trains for cheaper intercity journeys helps illustrate your position. However, the discussion is uneven: the case for improving existing transport is mainly presented as others’ concerns, with little explanation of how upgrades could directly benefit passengers or reduce emissions. Some claims about new lines are also asserted rather than developed—for example, that trains will be “more available” and therefore reduce private-car use. Explain these links more fully and compare the benefits more directly.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall structure: an introduction, separate paragraphs for the two views, and a conclusion. The contrast between the positions is easy to follow, and signposts such as “In contrast,” “For instance,” and “As a result” help show relationships between ideas. However, some linking is mechanical or repetitive, particularly the repeated use of “spending large amount of money” and “communication.” The first body paragraph also moves from the cost and time needed to build lines to pollution from current vehicles without making the connection between these points explicit. In the second body paragraph, several consequences are listed in sequence. Use clearer referencing and develop each point in a more deliberate order to make progression smoother.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use enough topic-related vocabulary to communicate the main ideas, including “traffic congestion,” “carbon emission,” “railway lines,” and “private vehicles.” Some phrases show an attempt to express more specific concepts, such as “discharge carbon di-oxide.” However, the range is limited by repeated wording, especially “spending money,” “communication,” and “faster,” and several combinations are unnatural or imprecise, such as “existing transports,” “maintaining the time,” and “faster communication.” Spelling errors such as “enviroment” also reduce accuracy. Aim for more precise transport vocabulary and vary repeated terms; for example, distinguish between improving local services and expanding intercity rail capacity.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You use both simple and complex sentence forms, including clauses introduced by “because,” “while,” and “if,” and the main meaning is generally clear. Some sentences are controlled, such as “For example, if people have the opportunity to go to other cities via train…” However, errors in agreement, articles and sentence construction remain noticeable. For instance, “building new railway lines take more time” should use a singular verb, while “spending large amount … are necessary” has both an article and agreement problem. The opening also has an awkward structure in “In my opinion, I believe,” and “As a result, less carbon emission, traffic congestion will occur” is not grammatically complete. Check subject–verb agreement and ensure each sentence has a clear, complete structure.

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