Band 4.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.0 · 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 4.0)

It is thought that it is essential to spend a significant amount of money on building a new railways for fast trains between cities. While other individuals believe that it should be spent on developing existing publix transport. Trains are linear and fast transportation that covers a wide range of locations. However, I believe that spending on existing public transportations is more efficient.

Modern trains are a fast transportation covering a lot of locations especially on urban areas and

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 3.0

You introduce the topic and state a clear preference for improving existing public transport: “I believe that spending on existing public transportations is more efficient.” This gives the response a relevant starting point. However, the task asks you to discuss both views and support your opinion, and the response does not develop either side: the brief claim that trains cover many locations is not explained or supported with an example, while the benefits of improving current services are not given. The response also ends mid-sentence, so the argument is incomplete. It is substantially below the required 250 words. To improve, explain the advantages and drawbacks of each investment, give a specific example, and develop your own position in a complete conclusion.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 3.5

There is a basic attempt to organise the response: the opening introduces the two positions, and “However” signals your own view. This gives the reader a simple direction to follow. Nevertheless, the ideas do not progress into a complete discussion. The second paragraph begins with “Modern trains…” but stops at “especially on urban areas and,” leaving the point unfinished and without a clear link to the stated preference for existing transport. The opening also places the opposing view in a separate fragment beginning “While,” rather than connecting it smoothly to the first sentence. Use complete paragraphs for each view, connect reasons with clear referencing and transitions, and finish with a conclusion that restates your position.

Lexical Resource: Band 4.5

You use some relevant topic vocabulary, including “railways,” “fast trains,” “urban areas,” and “public transport,” and phrases such as “significant amount of money” show an attempt to express the scale of investment. However, the range is narrow and several choices are inaccurate or awkward, which limits precision: “a new railways” has an unsuitable form, “public transportations” is not the natural expression, and “linear” does not clearly describe the benefit of trains in this context. There is also a spelling error in “publix.” Aim for accurate transport collocations and more precise terms, such as “high-speed rail links,” “existing bus and rail networks,” and “improve service frequency.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

The response attempts a complex opening structure with “While…” and uses a contrastive sentence beginning “However,” showing some awareness of varied sentence forms. The main meaning is generally understandable, but control is uneven. “While other individuals believe that it should be spent…” is a dependent clause presented as a sentence, and the final sentence is incomplete after “and.” In “a fast transportation covering,” the article and participle construction are not well controlled; “especially on urban areas” also shows an inaccurate preposition pattern. Practise joining dependent clauses to independent clauses and completing each sentence with a clear main clause. Check articles, countability, and prepositions when editing.

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