Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-08-24
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)
This table illustrates the data in kilometers and in millions about underground railway systems from 1863 to 2001 in London, Paris, Tokyo, Washington, Kyoto, and Los Angeles.
Overall, In Tokyo recorded the upward trend as compared to another countries and shows the higher information about almost highest level of passengers continue their journey in Tokyo per year, while the Kyoto having very lowest number in the lowest kilometers.
In 1927, The figures clearly shown that Tokyo was increasing their numbers and acheiveing highest growth according to their kilometres which 155k and passengers per year was 1927. Even though, the Paris also recorded the second position accross in countires but the kilometres tokyo got 199
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 4.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
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 high passenger numbers in Tokyo and the low figures for Kyoto, the analysis is incomplete. You have not adequately compared all six cities, and the information provided is often confusing or inaccurate (e.g., stating Tokyo has 155km of track when the table shows 155km for Tokyo and 199km for Paris). The summary lacks a comprehensive overview of the data trends, and the failure to reach the minimum length means the task is only partially addressed.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The essay is divided into three short paragraphs, but the logical progression is weak. The use of cohesive devices is often mechanical or misused, such as 'Even though, the Paris also recorded...' which does not function correctly as a transition. The referencing is sometimes unclear, making it difficult for the reader to follow the comparison between cities. While there is an attempt at an overall summary, the lack of development and the disjointed nature of the sentences hinder the flow of information. More varied linking words and better paragraph structure are needed to improve coherence.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is quite limited and repetitive. You rely on basic terms like 'highest', 'lowest', and 'numbers' throughout the text. There are also issues with word choice and collocation, such as 'the Kyoto having very lowest number' and 'acheiveing highest growth'. Some phrases are awkward, such as 'shows the higher information about almost highest level'. To improve, you should aim to use more precise terminology related to data description, such as 'surpassed', 'considerable', or 'minimal', and ensure that your word forms are used correctly in context.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede communication. There are issues with subject-verb agreement ('In Tokyo recorded', 'Kyoto having'), missing articles ('the Paris', 'the Tokyo'), and incorrect sentence structures ('The figures clearly shown that Tokyo was increasing their numbers'). The range of structures is limited, consisting mostly of simple sentences with errors in tense and preposition usage. To reach a higher band, you need to focus on producing error-free sentences and incorporating a wider variety of complex grammatical structures, such as relative clauses or passive voice, with greater accuracy.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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