You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
The table below provides statistics on several major metro (MRT) systems around the world.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main feature and make comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words
Model Answer A: IELTS Band 5+
The table given compares the age, length and annual carrying capacity of metro systems in London, Paris, Tokyo, Washington DC, Kyoto and Los Angeles.
It is clear that the newer metro system are generally much shorter than the older ones. The oldest metro system is that of London. It was built in 1863 and is 1100 kilometres long. Meanwhile, the second oldest metro system is in Paris. This metro was built in 1890 and is also the second longest, at 594 kilometres. On the other hand, the Kyoto and Los Angeles metro systems are much newer and shorter. They were built in 1980 and 2001, and are just 11 and 14 kilometres in length respectively.
We can also see from the table that the carrying capacities of these six metro systems are very different. The Tokyo metro system can carry the most people each year. At 1434 million. The Paris metro comes second, with 850 million. By contrast, the metro systems with the smallest carrying capacities are Kyoto and Washington DC. These two metros can only carry 11 million and 70 million people per year respectively.
(187 words)
Model Answer B: IELTS Band 7+
A glance at the table provided reveals a number of clear differences between the major metro systems of the world in terms of age, scale and annual carrying capacity.
One particularly interesting fact highlighted by the figure is that the more recently established metro systems are considerably shorter than the older ones. Completed in 1863, the London underground is the oldest of the metro systems listed and also the longest, extending for 1100 kiliometres. Likewise, the second oldest system is also the second longest: built in 1890. The Paris metro is some 594 kilometres in length. In stark contrast, however, the Kyoto and Los Angeles metro system – established in 1890 and 2001 respectively – are far shorter. The former covers a mere 11 kilometres and the latter just 14 kilometres.
With regard to yearly carrying capacity, the metro systems mentioned in the table vary greatly. The Tokyo metro is equipped to carry the largest number of passengers, at 1434 million. With 850 million, meanwhile, the Paris metro has the second largest carrying capacity. The systems with the smallest capacities are those of Kyoto and Washington DC, transporting just 11 million and 70 million people per year respectively.
(196 words)
