Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-10-30

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 5.5)

The table provides information about the underground railway systems in six cities namely, London, Paris, Tokyo, Washington DC, Kyoto and Los Angeles.

Overall, it is clear that the Tokyo is raising to top in the passengers per year in millions, while second top is Paris. Whereas, the lowest in Kyoto passengers.

To commence, In the London date opened in 1863 highest route kilometers 394 ad have few passengers 775 millions. Moreover, in 1900 the Paris decline half of the route to London 199 but have biggest share passengers 1191 millions. In addition, the Tokyo is the substinable rose drmatically in passengers 1927 millions nevertheless have less kilometer to the Paris 155.

On the other hand, in 1976 Washington DC initiate and only 126 kilometer route but have extremly low to the Tokyo in teams of passengers 144. Furthermore, in 1981 the Kyoto begin and the lowest route compared to all 5 countries 11 and have 45 passengers. Although in 2001 the route of kilometers rose marginally 28 to the Kyoto and also rising five millions more in the passengers.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the subject and include an overview, noting Tokyo’s high passenger total and Kyoto’s low figure. You also report several relevant comparisons, such as London having the longest route and Kyoto the shortest. However, the overview is not fully accurate: Tokyo has the highest passenger figure, but Paris is second, while Kyoto is lowest; the phrase “Tokyo is raising to top” obscures this comparison. Some details are also unclear or incomplete, including the claim that Paris “decline half” of London’s route and the description of Tokyo’s passenger figure as a rise. To strengthen the response, state the main contrasts precisely and compare the systems directly, including the newer systems’ much smaller routes and passenger totals.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, an overview, and separate paragraphs covering the older and newer systems. Sequencing the cities by opening date gives the reader a basic route through the data. However, progression within sentences is often difficult to follow, as in “the Paris decline half of the route to London 199 but have biggest share passengers.” Linking expressions such as “Moreover,” “In addition,” and “Furthermore” are used, but they do not always clarify the relationship between the figures; “Whereas” also begins a fragment. Improve cohesion by grouping comparisons around clear features—age, route length, and passenger numbers—and use simpler links that accurately show contrast or addition.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You attempt a range of vocabulary for describing data, including “highest,” “lowest,” “share,” “marginally,” and “compared.” These choices show an effort to move beyond basic listing. However, several inaccurate or misspelled expressions make the meaning difficult to understand, such as “substinable rose drmatically,” “extremly low,” and “in teams of passengers.” Some phrases are also unnatural for a table description, including “raising to top” and “decline half.” Use precise, familiar language for reporting figures, and check spelling and collocations carefully. For example, describe a system as having the highest passenger total or a route that is half the length, rather than trying to express these comparisons with unclear wording.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You use both simple statements and attempts at longer, linked sentences, and the response is generally recognisable as a description of the table. However, the longer constructions are often faulty, and errors in articles, verb forms, agreement, and sentence boundaries frequently make relationships between figures unclear. Examples include “the Tokyo is,” “the Paris decline,” and “the Kyoto begin”; the sentence beginning “Whereas, the lowest in Kyoto passengers” is incomplete. There is also inconsistent capitalization after commas, as in “To commence, In the London.” Build accuracy first with complete subject–verb sentences, then combine them using controlled contrast clauses. Check that each sentence has a clear subject and verb and that articles and verb forms agree.

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