Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-07-30
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 6.5)
The rendered table chart depicts the information about railway systems built underground in six cities in a time period of 1863 to 2001. The data has been calibrated into numbers.
Overall, it is crystal clear that Tokyo was having a major share of passengers whereas Kyoto possessed least number of travelers in this given time period.
At a fleeting glance, it is evident that London started in year 1863 with a range of 394 kilometers and had 775 travelers. Following this Paris comes with a range of 199 kilometers and have a support of 1191 passengers in year 1900. After Tokyo ranges between 155 kilometers to 1927 millions of people in year 1927.
Moving further, Washington DC initiated in year 1976 and have wide range of 126 kilometers Surprisingly only 144 millions of travelers. Now coming with Kyoto which come in service in year 1981 and only range of 11 kilometers and 45 millions of passengers which is least. Last but not least in year 2001 Los Angels started with range of 28 kilometers and 50 millions of passengers.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.0 |
| Overall | 6.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5
The response covers all the requirements of the task by identifying the main features of the underground systems. You have successfully selected and reported the key data points, such as the oldest system (London) and the busiest (Tokyo). However, the comparison is somewhat limited. While you mention the highest and lowest figures, you could improve by grouping the cities more effectively—for example, comparing the older, larger systems with the newer, smaller ones. The overview is clear, but the body paragraphs rely heavily on listing data rather than synthesizing it into meaningful comparisons. Overall, the task is addressed adequately.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5
The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the information. You use some cohesive devices like 'Overall', 'At a fleeting glance', and 'Moving further' to transition between ideas. However, some of these transitions feel a bit mechanical or slightly unnatural in an academic context. Additionally, the referencing is occasionally unclear; for instance, the phrase 'After Tokyo ranges between' is grammatically awkward and disrupts the flow of information. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring that each sentence connects smoothly to the next would elevate the coherence of your writing.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.5
You have a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey the information, using terms like 'depicts', 'calibrated', and 'initiated'. However, there are some issues with word choice and collocation. For example, 'had a support of 1191 passengers' is not standard English, and 'possessed least number of travelers' is slightly unnatural. You also repeat the word 'range' frequently when referring to kilometers. To reach a higher band, try to use more precise synonyms and ensure that your collocations (words that naturally go together) are accurate. The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks the precision required for higher bands.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are frequent grammatical errors, particularly with verb tenses and subject-verb agreement. For example, 'Tokyo was having a major share' should be 'Tokyo had the largest share', and 'Paris... have a support' should be 'Paris had'. There are also issues with missing articles and awkward phrasing, such as 'only range of 11 kilometers'. These errors are noticeable but do not prevent the reader from understanding the data. Focusing on consistent tense usage and article placement will help improve your accuracy.
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