Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-10-28

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 parts of the world, some people consider it is essential to invest large amount on building new railway tracks for very fast trains between cities. Another opposite group of people argue that money should be spend on developing current public transport. Although spending a large sums on establishing new railway lines because it can create less noise and air pollution and reduced the traffic conjections. I believe that improving present mass transit can reduce the number of private vehicles and it is affordable and cponvenient.

On the one hand, spending a lot of money on constructing new train paths in big urban areas can create less air and noise pollution. This is because many people can travel by trains rather than using own private cars and motercycles. Moreover, using trains can reduce the traffic conjection in cities especially in front of schools and a supermarket. For example, China and Japan built many new train routes in recent years,, many migrants and local residents travel by train because they can cover long distance in short time. As a result, the number of private vehicles on the roads will decreased, which can redcue harmfull gass emisiions and traffic noise.

On the other hand, investing money on developing existing public transportation is beneficial pathway for community because it is affordable and convenient for people. This encourage citizens to travel by them with reasonable fares within and outside the city. Furthermore, public transit allow people to save their time and make sure their safety because efficient public transit systems allow people to reach their destinations quickly and arrive at work and school on time. For instance, many university students catch local buses to arrive their point, because it is more eas

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You discuss both proposed uses of funding and give a view: the first body paragraph supports new rail routes, while the second argues for improving existing transport, and the introduction states that you favour the latter. Relevant reasons include reduced pollution and congestion, as well as affordability and convenience. However, the position is not fully sustained: the opening sentence of the first paragraph is difficult to interpret, and the conclusion is missing, so your final preference is not clearly reinforced. Some support is also broad; the China and Japan example does not explain how new routes demonstrate the benefits of high-speed intercity rail specifically. Develop each reason with a clearer explanation and finish by directly comparing the options and restating your judgement.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction and separate paragraphs beginning “On the one hand” and “On the other hand.” These signposts help readers identify the two views, and examples generally follow the relevant claims. However, progression within paragraphs is sometimes unclear: the first paragraph moves from pollution to congestion and then to an example without a fully developed link between them. The final paragraph ends abruptly, leaving the discussion without a concluding stage. Some connections are also mechanical or imprecise, such as “This is because” and “As a result” where the cause-and-effect relationship needs clearer explanation. Organise each paragraph around one main claim, explain it, and then use a specific example to support it.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You attempt topic-specific vocabulary, including “railway lines,” “public transportation,” “private vehicles,” “reasonable fares,” and “harmful gas emissions.” This gives you enough language to communicate the main subject and both sides of the debate. However, noticeable spelling and word-choice errors sometimes make the reader pause, for example “traffic conjection,” “motercycles,” “redcue,” and “emisiions.” Some phrases are also unnatural or imprecise, such as “spend large amount,” “train paths,” and “beneficial pathway for community.” Aim for accurate collocations and check spelling carefully; using a smaller number of well-controlled topic phrases will make your argument clearer and more convincing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentence forms, including a reason clause (“This is because…”) and a relative clause (“which can…”). However, complex structures are often faulty, and errors occur frequently enough to make some sentences difficult to follow. For example, “Although spending a large sums… because it can…” is an incomplete and confusing construction, while “This encourage citizens” and “public transit allow” have subject–verb agreement errors. Verb forms are also inaccurate in “the number … will decreased,” and the final sentence is unfinished. Practise building complete sentences with one clear main clause, then check agreement, tense, articles, and sentence endings. Punctuation also needs attention, particularly the repeated comma after “years.”

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