Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-08-17

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 5.0)

Table gives data on 6 different cities for underground railway systems including opening dates , kilometers of route covered and how many passengers per year use it. Overall, it clearly visible that London has longest route of underground railway however, most famous underground railway system is located in Tokyo.

From table data, London is oldest underground railway station which was started in 1863. and it has longest route with 394 kilometers also775 million passengers used it per year. On the other hand, Los Angeles is newest once which was opened in 2001 with 50 million passengers each year.

Most used station was opened in 1927 in Tokyo with 155 kilometer long route and noted 1927 million passengers each year. Howe

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.5

The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which significantly impacts the score. While you have identified some key features, such as the oldest and newest systems, the analysis is incomplete. You have not fully compared the data across all six cities, and the response ends abruptly mid-sentence ('Howe'), indicating an unfinished task. To improve, ensure you cover all categories (date, route length, and passengers) for all cities, and provide a more comprehensive overview that synthesizes the data rather than just listing facts. The lack of completion prevents a higher score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The response is organized into short paragraphs, but the logical progression is hindered by the incomplete nature of the text. While there is an attempt to use cohesive devices like 'On the other hand' and 'Overall', the flow is disrupted by the abrupt ending. Paragraphing is present but insufficient due to the lack of a concluding summary or a fully developed body. To improve, ensure each paragraph has a clear focus and that you use a wider variety of linking words to connect your comparisons more fluidly.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks the precision and range expected at higher levels. You rely on basic descriptors like 'oldest' and 'newest' and repeat the word 'station' incorrectly (the table refers to railway systems, not stations). There are also minor errors in word choice, such as 'data on 6 different cities for underground railway systems'. To improve, try to incorporate more varied terminology related to statistics and transport, such as 'commuter volume', 'extensive network', or 'inaugurated'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains several grammatical errors, including missing articles ('From table data', 'London is oldest'), punctuation errors (e.g., '1863. and'), and awkward phrasing ('it clearly visible that'). The sentence structures are relatively simple, and the unfinished nature of the text limits the demonstration of complex grammatical range. To improve, focus on consistent use of articles, correct punctuation, and ensuring that your sentences are complete and grammatically sound. Proofreading for basic subject-verb agreement and article usage would significantly improve your accuracy.

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.