Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-11-01

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)

There has been debate running among different countries related to investment in transport system. Although, there are benefits of public transport system, but I agree with viewpoint of improving railway system due to its positive impact on environment and reducing traffic congestion.

There are the three apparent benefits of railway system. Firstly, it had been known for its higher speed, which will help people to reach destination faster in comparison to other means of commuting. Secondly, it reduce cost related issues, people belonging to any social class of society can easily afford it.

Other is, it can solve traffic issues and pollution problems on larger scale, by constructing them in underground system. For instance, If there are more number of underground trains and fewer individual transport, there will be less carbon emission into the atmosphere. Hence, railway system have many positive benefits for society.

However, other public transport system is more flexible. People does not have to walk longer distance to reach station, buses can come near their houses which makes it more convenient. For example, it is best choice for the people with medical impairment and school going children's who can't commute for longer distance by themselves. Another reason is it can reduce high demand and low supply issue's. Due to presence of large number of transportation, the scarcity problem can be resolved which could be cause by undersupply.

In nutshell, public transport is beneficial to reduce supply issues but by increasing number of trains and effective railways, it will be more advantageous to reduce wider climate issues and congestion problems.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You address both sides of the discussion and state a clear preference for improving railways, linking this to environmental benefits and reduced congestion. The points about speed, affordability and underground trains are relevant, and the example of people with medical impairments helps explain why buses can be more convenient. However, the task contrasts investment in new high-speed intercity lines with improving existing public transport; your discussion often shifts to railways generally and does not clearly explain the case for constructing very fast trains between cities. Some claims, such as rail travel reducing costs for all social classes, also need qualification or support. Develop each side more evenly and make your opinion directly compare the two spending priorities.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, separate paragraphs for the two views, and a concluding opinion. Sequencing words such as “Firstly,” “Secondly,” “However,” and “For example” help readers follow the main points. Overall progression is clear, but some links are mechanical or unclear. “Other is” does not clearly introduce the next benefit, while “Due to presence of large number of transportation” leaves the relationship between transport provision and scarcity difficult to follow. The conclusion also repeats the main claims rather than drawing the comparison together. Use clearer topic sentences and refer explicitly to the two investment options so that the argument develops more smoothly within and between paragraphs.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of topic vocabulary, including “traffic congestion,” “carbon emission,” “underground trains,” “medical impairment,” and “scarcity.” These choices make the subject clear, and some less common expressions show an attempt to discuss transport and social effects precisely. However, several phrases are awkward or imprecise, such as “debate running,” “reduce cost related issues,” and “larger scale.” There are also word-form and collocation problems, including “transportation” where “transport options” would be more natural, and “school going children's.” These do not prevent understanding, but they limit precision. Aim for natural collocations and use vocabulary that distinguishes high-speed intercity rail from local public transport.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and complex forms, including a concession in the opening and conditional structures such as “If there are more number of underground trains… there will be less carbon emission.” The main ideas remain understandable, but some grammatical errors recur. Examples include subject–verb agreement in “it reduce” and “railway system have,” and “People does not have to walk,” where the subject requires a plural verb. The opening also has faulty punctuation and conjunction use in “Although, …, but I agree.” There are issues with articles and plural forms in “reach destination” and “school going children's.” Check agreement, articles and sentence punctuation, and revise complex sentences to ensure their clauses are complete and correctly connected.

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