The table below gives information about changes in modes of travel in England between 1985 and 2000.
Sample Response
The table showsThe table data shows information about modes of transportthe type of transportation used by the British between 1985 and 2000. As is presented in the table, using the car was the most common way of travel among people in Englandtravelling by English both in 1985 and 2000. In 1985, more than 3,000 miles were travelled by an average person in Englandan average British using cars. It increased to well over 4,500 in the year 2000. The second most common way of travelling was the local bus which was far less commonly used than carsthan that cars. Over time, the use of local buses decreased, falling from 429 to 274 milesbecoming just over 250 from an initial 429 miles. The taxi was the least preferred transport both years amounting to only 13 miles and 42 miles per person in these two years. The bicycle was used for an average of 51 miles of travel50 miles travel by each person in 1985 and that decreased to 41 miles in 2000 which showsshow the decline of bicycle useusages by people in Englandby British. Train and long-distance buseslocal distance buses were two other modes of transport used by the British, and the distances travelled by both increasedtheir popularity increased over time. In 1985, 255 miles were travelled by an average persona British citizen on foot while this distance decreased slightly in 2000. All other modes of transportAll other transportations used accounted for 450 miles per personcomprised about 450 miles per person in 1985 which increased to 585 in 2000. Finally, a British travelled 4,740 milesaround 4700 miles in 1985 which rose to 6,475 milesover 6400 miles after 15 years.
Why this response received Band 6.5
The response covers every travel mode, accurately highlights cars as dominant, and supports most changes with appropriate figures. Its overview is too narrow, while recurring awkward noun and comparison forms reduce linguistic precision despite generally clear meaning. Add the overall rise in total distance and contrast the modes that fell with those that grew, then proofread articles, agreement, and comparative structures.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Achievement
Cars are correctly identified as dominant and all modes are covered with mostly accurate data, but the overview does not summarise the overall increase or contrasting trends.
State that total distance rose substantially and distinguish walking, bicycle, and local-bus declines from increases in the other modes.
Coherence and Cohesion
The account follows a generally logical sequence and comparisons are easy to trace, but the single-block presentation and item-by-item progression limit grouping.
Create a distinct overview and group the details by modes that increased and modes that decreased.
Lexical Resource
Relevant transport vocabulary is used with some range, though awkward forms such as travelling by English and bicycle usages reduce precision.
Use natural combinations such as English people, car travel, bicycle use, and modes of transport.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Both simple and complex structures are attempted, but article, agreement, comparison, and noun-form errors recur throughout.
Proofread forms such as than cars, which shows, and miles travelled by an average person.
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IELTS Academic Writing Task 1
The table below gives information about changes in modes of travel in England between 1985 and 2000.
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.