Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-10-24
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)
Nowadays, there are a debate about weather few individuals think it is compulsory to spend large amount of funds on building new railway lines for very fast trains from cities. Other argue that the tax should be investing on improving public transport.
on the one hand, few people believe that money should be spent by constructing new line for faster trains. This means that often a fast tarin arrive other trains keeps side and people waste their valuable time. It happens because of reach to destination expensive tickets bought by few passengers. For example, in India between Ahmedabad to Mumbai government build a bullet tarin project with the help of Japan government because it's helps to reach one city to another city in few hours. As a result, civilians can go other cities vary quickly it's a huge impact on people whereas this money can use in other sectors like public schools, government hospitals because it's basic foundation for any nation.
On the other hand, others argue that money should be spent on existing public transport by authorities. One of the major reason that public move more into city not to other city on daily basis. So, some thinks that improving existing instead of constructing new one. In instance, two years ago, my brother needs to go just 6 km away into the same city for his important office work and he didn't reach at the palace by time due to heavy traffic therefore, he lost his job. As a result, public can reach at destination faster into cities if existing resources should be improved.
In conclusion, although establishing new line for faster tarins civilians can go any part of country rapidly and save their working hours, others reasonably believe that it should be upgraded existing thing by authorities make easy for public. i believe that enhanced existing resources it should be first priority because working on it much faster and it consume minimum money as compare to constructing new.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5
You discuss both proposed approaches and give a clear preference in the conclusion: improving existing transport should be the priority. The India bullet-train example and your brother’s commute are relevant attempts to support the two sides. However, the discussion is only partly developed. The first paragraph’s point about fast trains making other trains wait is difficult to follow, and the example does not clearly explain the benefits or costs of this investment. The second side focuses mainly on traffic and one personal incident, rather than explaining more broadly how upgrades to public transport would help. Develop each argument with a clear reason and a direct explanation of its consequences, while keeping your position consistent throughout.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, separate paragraphs for the two views, and a conclusion. Signposts such as “on the one hand,” “on the other hand,” and “In conclusion” help readers identify the stages of the discussion. However, progression within paragraphs is sometimes unclear, and linking phrases can feel mechanical. For example, “As a result” introduces conclusions that do not clearly follow from the preceding point, while the first body paragraph shifts from train delays to expensive tickets and then to public services. Some references, such as “this money” and “it,” are also unclear. Organise each body paragraph around one main claim, then explain and illustrate it in a more direct sequence.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
You use some topic-related vocabulary, including “railway lines,” “public transport,” “bullet train project,” and “heavy traffic,” so the subject is generally identifiable. However, the range is limited and several inaccurate word choices or collocations make parts of the argument difficult to understand. Examples include “the tax should be investing,” “reach to destination,” and “existing thing.” There are also spelling errors such as “tarin” and “vary,” which reduce clarity. Aim to learn common transport collocations and use precise terms for the proposed spending, such as investment in infrastructure or upgrades to bus and rail services. Proofreading spelling and checking whether each phrase sounds natural will make your ideas easier to follow.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, including a reason clause with “because” and a contrast introduced by “although.” However, complex structures are often faulty, and frequent errors in agreement, verb forms, articles, and sentence construction sometimes make meaning hard to follow. For instance, “there are a debate” has incorrect agreement, while “government build” and “it’s helps” use incorrect verb forms. The final sentence, “i believe that enhanced existing resources it should be first priority,” is also difficult to parse because its clause structure is incomplete. Practise building accurate subject–verb–object sentences first, then add one subordinate clause at a time. Check articles, verb agreement, and sentence boundaries when editing.
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