Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)

In many countries some people prefer governments should spend significant portion of transportational budget on the development of new railway lines for the fast trains between cities, while others argue that autherities should improve existing public transportation. This essay will discuss both views and will argue that available sources of public transportation should be the first priority for government spending.

On the one hand, trains are considered as the safest way for travelling between the two cities and according to many published reports trains have recorded lowest number of casaulties in the history of transportational accidents. Trains have large spaces to include every basic required facisility for travelling, like trains can fit comfortable seats for sitting and sleeping, a enough space for luggage without worrying about the weight, a place to eat and slots for charging electronic devices. Due to above mentioned reasons for many people trains are ideal way to move between different cities. Among the few problems of train journeys, the time trains take is the major concern for many people and they want government to spend more money on fast track railway lines to save time.

On the other hand, trains can be ideal way for travelling but it is too expensive when it comes to its maintaince costs. Trains requires more staff and separate lines compared to other available public transporational methods. Trains are expensive especially fast moving trains and government has its budget constraints. Autherities have limited budget to spend on every department and they want to utilize it in a way which suits everyone. Buses and other ways of transportation are cheap and requires lower number of service providers. They can easily move in every corner of the city and can accomodate many areas compared to trains which can move only to limited number of lines. The infracture build for bases can be useful to other people as well, who have their own vehicles.

Considering the costs and benefits analysis allocating more money to existing sources of transportation is a better choice for government.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You address both sides of the discussion and state a clear position: existing public transport should receive priority. The case for faster intercity trains is relevant, with safety, comfort and reduced journey time as supporting points; the case for existing transport is developed through cost, staffing and wider coverage. However, some support is general rather than specific, and the first view is explained mainly through the benefits of trains rather than why new high-speed lines justify their cost. Your conclusion repeats your preference but gives little final weighing of the competing arguments. To strengthen the response, explain the benefits of high-speed links more directly and support key claims with a concrete example or clearer comparison.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall structure: an introduction, one paragraph for each view, and a concluding position. The signposts “On the one hand” and “On the other hand” make the contrast easy to follow, and the ideas within each paragraph generally progress from a claim to supporting details. Some connections are mechanical, however, particularly “Due to above mentioned reasons” and the repeated use of “trains” and “government.” The final paragraph is very brief and does not fully draw together the comparison developed earlier. Use more precise referencing and vary transitions, then make the conclusion synthesise why the benefits of improving existing services outweigh investment in new lines.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a reasonable range of topic vocabulary, including “budget constraints,” “maintainance costs,” “casualties,” and “service providers,” and the intended meaning is generally clear. However, several spelling errors and inaccurate word choices reduce precision: “autherities,” “casualties,” “facisility,” “transporational,” “accomodate,” and “infracture” are misspelled, while “transportational budget” and “fast moving trains” are awkward collocations. Some wording is also imprecise, such as “available sources of public transportation.” Proofread carefully and choose established transport terms, such as “transport budget,” “high-speed trains,” and “public transport services.” This would make your vocabulary more natural and accurate.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and complex structures, including a contrast clause with “while” and a reason clause beginning “because” in the discussion. Most sentences remain understandable, but some grammatical errors recur. For example, “Trains requires” has subject–verb disagreement, and “a enough space” uses an incorrect article. In “Buses and other ways of transportation are cheap and requires,” the verb does not agree with the plural subject. There are also missing or awkward articles in phrases such as “trains are ideal way” and “between the two cities.” Review agreement, article use and sentence construction, and edit each sentence for accuracy while retaining your attempts at complex forms.

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