Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-11-08

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

The take below gives information about the underground railway systems in six cities.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

Underground Railway Systems

City	Date opened	Kilometers of route	Passengers per year (in millions)
London	1863	394	775
Paris	1900	199	1191
Tokyo	1927	155	1927
Washington DC	1976	126	144
Kyoto	1981	11	45
Los Angeles	2001	28	50

Student answer (Band 6.0)

The table compares the underground railway system of six differnt cities in terms of their opened date, route length and passengers per year.

Overall, railway system of London city has the largest route whereas Kyoto city has the shortest route. Despite london having the largest route, railway system of Tokyo carries the largest proportion of passenger per year; giving us the idea that route length doesn't dominate in carring more passengers.

Opened in 1863, London city railyway system has the longest route length, 394 km and carries 775 million passenger per year. Meanwhile, paris opened in 1900, on the other hand having route length approximately halved of London's , 199 km, carries 1191 millions passengers. Tokyo, opened in 1927, carries the largest portion of passengers - 1927 millions, despite having lenght of just 155 km.

Conversely, Washinton DC , opened in 1976 of route length 126 km carries 144 million passengers. On the otheer hand kyoto and los Angeles , opened in 1981 and 2001, carries 45 and 50 million pasengers , having length 11

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You identify the main contrasts accurately: London has the longest route, Kyoto the shortest, and Tokyo carries the most passengers. The overview also makes a relevant comparison between route length and passenger numbers, and the body includes useful figures for London, Paris, Tokyo and Washington DC. This meets the task well, though coverage is uneven: the final sentence begins to compare Kyoto and Los Angeles but stops before giving their route lengths, so those figures are not fully reported. To strengthen the response further, complete that comparison and ensure every city’s key data is presented clearly. The overview’s observation about route length is useful, but could be supported with a more precise comparison across the smaller systems too.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall shape, moving from an introduction and overview to comparisons among the cities. Grouping London, Paris and Tokyo before discussing the later-opening systems is a sensible way to organise the information. However, some linking is awkward or mechanical: “Meanwhile” is followed by “on the other hand” in the same sentence, and “Conversely” does not establish a clear contrast with the preceding figures. The final sentence is also incomplete, which interrupts the progression and leaves the Kyoto–Los Angeles comparison unfinished. Use fewer, more precise connectors and make each paragraph or sentence complete. Clearer links between the overview and the detailed comparisons would make the organisation easier to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of task-related vocabulary, including “route length,” “carries,” “largest” and “approximately halved,” and the meaning is generally understandable. There are also attempts at more formal reporting language, such as “Despite” and “Conversely.” However, spelling errors and imprecise or repetitive choices reduce accuracy: “differnt,” “carring,” “lenght” and “pasengers” occur, while “largest proportion of passenger” is not a natural way to describe the highest annual total. “Railway system” is repeated frequently, and “opened date” is less idiomatic than a standard description of when a system began operating. Proofread spelling and choose precise terms for totals and opening dates to improve control.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of sentence forms, including an overview with a contrast (“Despite London having the largest route…”) and sentences that combine opening dates, route lengths and passenger figures. The main comparisons are usually understandable, but some grammatical errors remain. For example, “railway system of London city has” needs clearer article and possessive structure, and “Paris opened in 1900, on the other hand having…” is an awkward, incomplete construction. There are also agreement and number issues in “Kyoto and Los Angeles… carries,” where a plural subject requires a plural verb. The final sentence trails off after “having length 11,” leaving the structure unfinished. Aim for complete sentences and check articles, agreement and clause construction.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.