Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-11-04

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)

Transportation is an important service in todays society. In particular countries, a number of people argue that it is required to spend alot of funds on building new railway lines for the fastest trains between the cities while others think that the funds should be used for imprving the existing transport access by the public. Constructing new railways will enhance better access by the people from all around the city and more heavy goods can be transported hence leading to economic growth. On the other hand, improving public transport can lead to delays due to road closures and traffics.

To begin, spending money on expansion of railways can facilitate the movement of people and goods easily. For intance, There will be an increase number of people using the railways because it is accessible, leading to low air pollution that can be caused by the use of personal vehicles. However, improving the exisiting public transport can cause delays and traffics which can make people hard to get to work or access to services . For example, someone seeking emergency services can stay long on the traffic due to road closures and can increase the vulnerability.

To conclude, I think it is neccessary to spend a huge amont od money on building new railway lines for very fast trains to promote the movement of people and goods freely . However, improving the exisiting public transportion can also facilitate movements of people but it should be done in phases to reduced the vulnerability of people caused by traffics and delays.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You address both views and state a clear preference for new railway lines in the conclusion. Relevant points include moving people and goods, reducing reliance on private vehicles, and the possible disruption caused by transport improvements. However, the discussion is uneven: the case for high-speed rail receives several benefits, while the opposing view is mainly presented as a source of delays and vulnerability. This does not fully explain why investment in existing public transport might be worthwhile, such as improving capacity, reliability, or access for current users. The examples are also general rather than developed. To strengthen the response, explain the benefits of both options and support each with a specific, clearly connected example.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable introduction, body paragraph, and conclusion, and signposts such as “To begin,” “However,” and “To conclude” help show the intended structure. The main ideas are generally understandable, but progression is limited: the first paragraph introduces several claims, while the body largely repeats them rather than developing a distinct comparison of the two views. The contrast between railway construction and public-transport improvements is also not always clearly linked, and the example about emergency services needs a clearer connection to the argument. Organise the body into separate paragraphs for each view, then add a paragraph or sentence comparing them and explaining why your preferred option is stronger. Use linking phrases to show relationships, not just to announce stages.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some topic-related vocabulary, including “railway lines,” “air pollution,” “economic growth,” and “emergency services,” which makes the subject clear. However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations are inaccurate, sometimes making the meaning less natural. For example, “improving the existing transport access by the public” and “increase the vulnerability” do not express the intended ideas precisely; “traffic” is also generally uncountable in this context. Spelling errors such as “intance,” “exisiting,” and “neccessary” are noticeable. Build a more accurate set of transport collocations and check spelling carefully. Prefer precise phrases such as “improve existing public transport services” and “increase people’s vulnerability to harm.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and more complex sentence forms, including a sentence with “while” to contrast opinions and clauses beginning with “because” and “which.” However, control is inconsistent, and errors in sentence construction, agreement, articles, and verb forms sometimes make the reader pause. For instance, “it is required to spend” is an awkward passive construction, “There will be an increase number” has an article and noun-form problem, and “can make people hard to get to work” is not grammatically well formed. The conclusion also contains “it should be done in phases to reduced,” where the verb form is incorrect. Practise building accurate subject–verb patterns and checking each clause, especially after modal verbs and infinitives. Clearer, shorter sentences would help you control complex ideas.

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