The graph shows Underground Station passenger numbers in London.

Same questionCompare 6 different answers (Band 5–7)

Sample Response

1

The given line graph showsshows data on the number of passengers at London Underground stationsunderground station passengers of London city from 6:00 am untiltill 10:00 pm. As is observed from the graph, the highest number of people use the underground stations of London at 8:00 am and 6:00 pm. At 6:00 am, around 100At 6:00 am around 100 passengersunderground passengers use the stationscan be found at the stations and this number rises sharplyincreases seamlessly until 8:00 am when the number of passengerspassengers' number reaches 400reaches to 400. After 8:00 am the number declines steadily until 10:00 am when it reaches around 180. Passenger numbers fluctuateThe number keeps fluctuating until 4:00 pm and an average of about 225 passengerson an average 200 passengers can be observed during this period. After 4:00 pm, the passenger numberAfter 4:00 pm the passenger number increases and reaches 380reaches at 380 at around 6:00 pm. After 6:00 pm, the passenger number decreases with some fluctuations until 10:00 pm. In summary, the highest number of London Underground passengerspassengers of London underground stations can be found in the stations during the morning and evening commuting periodsoffice going and office leaving times in a day.

Overall assessment

Why this response received Band 6.5

The report’s strongest feature is its accurate chronological account of the two rush-hour peaks and the major rises and falls across the day. Its main limitation is presentation: all content is compressed into one paragraph, and recurrent awkward collocations and prepositions reduce polish even though meaning remains clear. Prioritise separating the overview from the time-series details and using precise formulations for passenger numbers, changes, and clock times.

Band score breakdown

IELTS Writing Criteria Scores

TA

Task Achievement

7.0
Scoring rule

The response gives a clear overview of both peaks and accurately traces most major fluctuations with relevant figures.

Next step

Add precise values for the midday high and the 4 p.m. low instead of reducing this varied period to an average.

CC

Coherence and Cohesion

6.0
Scoring rule

Information follows the graph chronologically and links are generally clear, but the single-paragraph format and repeated ‘After’ openings make progression mechanical.

Next step

Use a separate overview and divide the detailed account into morning and later-day paragraphs with more varied sequencing.

LR

Lexical Resource

6.0
Scoring rule

The vocabulary is adequate for describing trends, but recurring collocational problems such as ‘increases seamlessly’, ‘reaches at’, and ‘office going’ reduce precision.

Next step

Use standard graph-reporting phrases such as ‘rose steadily’, ‘reached 380’, and ‘morning and evening rush hours’.

GRA

Grammatical Range and Accuracy

6.0
Scoring rule

The response uses both simple and complex sentences, though errors with prepositions, possessives, articles, and noun phrases recur.

Next step

Edit preposition patterns after movement verbs and use the regular noun phrase ‘the number of passengers’ consistently.

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IELTS Academic Writing Task 1

The graph shows Underground Station passenger numbers in London.

Your response

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20:00

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