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)

In this contemporary era, automatic modes of transportation are very popular nowadays. Therfore, in many nations, proponents say that it is important to utilise much economy on building more railway lines for fast transportation to cities, however opponents argue that government should improve present modes of transport. This essay will intend to discuss both viewpoints along with my opinion in the enumerated paragraphs.

To commence with, there are various reasons why more money should be spend for the betterment of railway lines. First and foremost reason is that it is more convenient and affordable mode of transportation. To explain it, working people regularly use trains for transportation becuase they are less time consuming. Thus, if it is improved so they will travel more happily. Moreover, it will also less pollute the environment because if they use personal vehlicles for nearby travelling then it will create more pollution in the air. More number of people can travel in trains. So, the condition of trains should be improved so that maximum number of masses will travel through it.

On the other hand, there are other modes of public transportation which should be improved. Firstly, instead of consuming money on making new railway lines they should improve the condition of buses because most of the people use it on daily basis so, they should be more comfortable for public. Secondly, they should utilising money on new railway lines they can use in launching new automatic public vehicles because it is less expensive as well as comfortable for local people. Resultantly, it is helpful in generating income for society.

In conclusion, although constructing new railway lines are helpful for saving much money of people as it is cheaper than others, yet it is more important to better existing public transportation because the majority of people use these modes of tranport.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You address both sides of the discussion and give a preference in the conclusion: you support improving existing public transport because most people use it. The points about trains being convenient and buses serving daily commuters are relevant. However, the two views are not developed evenly or precisely. The case for new high-speed railway lines is mainly about ordinary train convenience and pollution, rather than explaining the specific benefits of fast intercity links. The alternative proposal to launch “new automatic public vehicles” is also unclear and receives little support. To strengthen the response, explain the distinct advantages and costs of each option, then connect your examples directly to your stated preference.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall arrangement: an introduction, a paragraph for each view, and a conclusion. Signposts such as “To commence with,” “On the other hand,” and “In conclusion” help readers follow the discussion. However, progression within paragraphs is sometimes mechanical, with repeated sequencing words such as “First and foremost,” “Moreover,” and “Secondly.” Some links between ideas are unclear: “Thus, if it is improved so they will travel more happily” does not specify what improvement would achieve, and “they should utilising money” makes the relationship between the proposals difficult to follow. Use clearer references and explain how each supporting point leads to the next.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some topic-related vocabulary, including “railway lines,” “public transportation,” “pollute the environment,” and “comfortable,” so the main subject is generally clear. However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations are inaccurate, which makes parts of the argument awkward: “utilise much economy,” “spend for the betterment,” and “maximum number of masses” are not natural expressions in this context. There are also noticeable spelling errors, including “Therfore,” “becuase,” “vehlicles,” and “tranport.” Aim for precise transport-related terms and check spelling carefully; natural phrasing will make your ideas easier to understand and more convincing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and complex sentences, using structures such as “because” clauses and the contrastive “although … yet.” Meaning is usually recoverable, but errors in verb forms, agreement, articles, and sentence construction remain noticeable. For example, “more money should be spend” should use a past participle, while “constructing new railway lines are helpful” has a subject–verb agreement problem. The sentence beginning “Secondly, they should utilising money…” is structurally incomplete, and “if it is improved so they will travel” combines clauses awkwardly. Practise building accurate sentences around one main clause, then add subordinate clauses and check agreement and verb forms.

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