Band 4.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-10-25

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 4.0)

There is debate over whether governmentals should invest heavily in new high-speed rail line between cities or use that money to improve existing public transport systems. Thi essay will discuse both views and arhue that mproving current transport should be the priority.

On the one hand, building high speed railway has advantages.Fast trains can significantly reduce travel time between major cities, whicch benifical

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 3.0

The response identifies the two positions and gives a clear preference: “improving current transport should be the priority.” It also begins to explain one benefit of high-speed rail, namely reduced travel time between major cities. However, the discussion stops before developing either view, and there is no explanation of why existing transport should receive priority or any supporting example. The task therefore remains only minimally addressed, rather than presenting a developed discussion of both sides. The response is also substantially below the required 250 words, which leaves the main arguments and conclusion absent. To improve, explain the benefits and drawbacks of each investment, support them with relevant examples, and finish with a reasoned conclusion that reinforces your opinion.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5

There is a basic attempt to organise the response: an opening paragraph introduces the debate and the writer’s position, followed by a paragraph beginning “On the one hand” to introduce one side. This gives the reader an initial sense of direction. However, the response ends mid-thought after “which beneficial,” so there is no progression through the second viewpoint or a conclusion. The linking phrase “On the one hand” also promises a contrasting point that is never supplied. Develop a complete paragraph for each view, use clear links between the ideas within them, and add a concluding paragraph. This would create a coherent overall progression rather than the current incomplete structure.

Lexical Resource: Band 4.5

The response uses some relevant topic vocabulary, including “high-speed rail,” “travel time,” “major cities,” and “public transport systems,” and the phrase “invest heavily” is suitable for discussing government spending. However, spelling and word-form errors are frequent enough to distract, including “governmentals,” “Thi,” “discuse,” “arhue,” “mproving,” “whicch,” and “benifical.” Some phrasing is also imprecise: “building high speed railway” does not clearly express the idea of constructing new lines. The limited amount of writing makes it difficult to show a broader range of vocabulary. Proofread spelling carefully and use precise transport collocations, such as “construct high-speed rail lines” and “upgrade existing services.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

The opening sentence attempts a complex contrast between two investment choices, and the response also uses a future-oriented claim about how fast trains “can significantly reduce travel time.” These show an effort to express more than simple statements. However, grammatical control is uneven: “building high speed railway has advantages” lacks an appropriate article or plural form, and “which beneficial” is an incomplete clause that leaves the meaning unfinished. There are also punctuation and spacing problems, such as “advantages.Fast.” Because the response is very short and ends abruptly, there is little evidence of a wider range of accurate sentence structures. Practise complete clauses, article use, and punctuation, then check each sentence for a clear subject and verb.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.