Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)

In modern world cities are more populated then any other time in the past. These increasing number of people dwelling in cities need transportation to commute daily in time. Some believe that govt should spend more money on building new railroads while others argue that money should be spent on improving existing public transport. I believe that there should be balance and govt should spend on both railway system and public transport for the best result.

Fast trains have become a major part of city life. Almost all the big cities around the world have constructed railroads for high speed trains that can carry large number of people at the same time. These trains also arrive at the destination within a short period of time. As a result, people depend on high speed trains to commute one place to another for job or other purposes For example in Tokyo most of the people commute by rails. It allowed them to work in a different city. So it is understandable that people want the govt to expand these rail tracks by providing more fund.

On the other hand, a large number of people still depends of other public transports. Many still commute by bus. People also commute using private vehicles. Additionally, constructing new railroads and buying high speed trains costs a tremendous amount of money while less money is needed for the improvement of existing transport system.

I believe that we should not choose one over another because a city need multiple modes of communication. Depending solely on one commuting system could be detrimental and unfruitful. So the govt should be improve the existing public system while planning for the expansion of fast speed train system.

In conclusion, I would like to reiterate my statement that the govt should not compromise one for another rather a balanced and long term approach should be taken to expand each.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You discuss both proposed uses of public money and state a clear position: “there should be balance” between new railways and existing transport. The high-speed-train paragraph gives relevant reasons, including capacity and faster journeys, and the Tokyo example helps illustrate their usefulness. However, the case for improving existing transport is less fully explained: you mention buses, private vehicles and lower costs, but do not show specifically how upgrades would benefit passengers or reduce congestion. Your conclusion repeats your position rather than adding support. Develop both sides more evenly with a concrete example or consequence for each, and explain what a balanced investment would achieve. The response meets the stated length requirement; the nine words copied from the task prompt were excluded from the count.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a clear overall arrangement: an introduction, separate paragraphs for the two views, your opinion, and a conclusion. Transitions such as “On the other hand” and “In conclusion” make the direction of the argument easy to follow. This coherent structure meets the lower-band expectations and shows some features of stronger progression. However, links between individual claims are sometimes abrupt: the Tokyo example moves from commuting by rail to working in a different city without explaining the connection, and the paragraph on existing transport lists modes before shifting to cost. The conclusion also repeats the introduction closely. Use clearer cause-and-effect links and develop each paragraph around a more connected sequence of claim, explanation and example.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of topic vocabulary, including “high speed trains,” “public transport,” “commute,” “rail tracks,” and “expansion.” These choices make the subject clear, and phrases such as “detrimental and unfruitful” show an attempt to use less common language. Some word-choice and collocation errors, however, reduce naturalness: “communication” is used where “transport” or “transportation” is intended, and “providing more fund” is not idiomatic. There are also spelling or form issues such as “govt” in formal writing and “then” for “than.” Aim for precise transport-related collocations and formal forms, and check spelling and word forms during revision.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, including a relative clause in “trains that can carry large number of people” and a contrast introduced by “while.” Most ideas remain understandable, but some grammatical errors recur. Examples include “These increasing number” instead of “This increasing number,” “people still depends” instead of “people still depend,” and “a city need” instead of “a city needs.” The final opinion sentence also has an incorrect verb pattern: “the govt should be improve” should be “the government should improve.” Articles and punctuation need attention too, as in “within a short period of time For example.” Check subject–verb agreement, verb forms after modal verbs, and sentence boundaries carefully.

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