Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-10-15

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)

The table provides us the information regarding underground railways in six cities.

Overall, the underground railway station of Tokyo and Paris carries the highest number of passengers.The least number of passengers are carried by Kyoto,Los Angeles and Washington DC's underground railway station.The underground railway station of London carrier a moderate number of passengers.

Tokyo's underground railway station opened in 1927 covering 155 kilometres carriers the highest number of passengers per year.Similar is in the case of Paris railway station which was developed in 1900 covering 199 kilometres carries second highest number of passengers per year.

On the other hand,London carries passengers in a middle range meaning not so much and not so less.

Lastly,Kyoto,Washington DC and Los Angeles carries tge least number of passengers per year.

So,Tokyo and Paris carries maximum passengers whole all others carry minimum to moderate passengers.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5

You identify the table’s subject and give an overview that recognises Tokyo and Paris as the busiest systems and London as having a middle-level passenger total. However, the overview is incomplete and partly inaccurate: Washington DC carries 144 million passengers, more than Kyoto and Los Angeles, so grouping all three as having the fewest is misleading. The response also omits important comparisons, especially that London has the longest route and Tokyo the highest annual passenger figure. Several figures are included, but the descriptions of London and the smaller systems are not supported with data. The response is 10 words below the required minimum. To improve, report the key extremes accurately and compare both route length and passenger numbers.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, and short paragraphs about the busiest and less busy systems. Sequencing from Tokyo and Paris to the remaining cities gives the reader a basic route through the information. However, progression is limited because the final paragraph repeats the overview rather than adding a useful comparison, and the three less busy systems are grouped together despite their different passenger totals. Linking phrases such as “On the other hand” and “Lastly” are present, but the connections between ideas are sometimes mechanical. Improve the organisation by grouping cities according to clear comparisons and using each paragraph to add distinct information rather than restating earlier points.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant vocabulary for describing the table, including “covering,” “highest number,” and “per year,” so the topic is generally clear. However, the range is limited and several phrases are repetitive or imprecise, particularly repeated use of “underground railway station” when referring to entire systems. Expressions such as “middle range meaning not so much and not so less” are informal and unclear for an academic summary. There are also noticeable word-form and spelling errors, including “carrier” and “tge,” which reduce accuracy. Aim for concise, precise terms such as “network,” “route length,” and “annual ridership,” and vary comparisons with phrases like “ranked second” or “recorded the lowest figure.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response includes simple statements and attempts longer structures, for example, “Tokyo’s underground railway station opened in 1927 covering 155 kilometres…” However, these longer sentences are often faulty, and subject–verb agreement errors occur repeatedly: “station … carries” and “Kyoto, Washington DC and Los Angeles carries.” Verb forms are also inconsistent, as in “opened … covering … carriers,” while missing spaces after punctuation make some sentences harder to read. Most sentences follow a basic subject–verb pattern, with little variety in clause structure. Work on agreement with singular and plural subjects, consistent tense, and punctuation. Separating the opening date, route length, and passenger figure into clear clauses would improve control and readability.

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