Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Recent IELTS Exams (Canada & India) · 2026-08-14

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

The pie charts below show how working adults in a particular country spent their time in 1958 and 2008.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

* Note: these aren’t the original diagrams given in the test, they were recreated for the purpose of demonstration.

Student answer (Band 5.5)

The pie charts compares the data about schedule of an employed adult in a particular country in 1958 and 2008. The data is given in percentage.

In 1958, an average adult spend most of a day in working and sleeping which was 33% and 32% which were the major activity for a employed person. However, in 2008, people nearly worked half a day and spent quarter half sleeping which is 42% and 25 % respectively. Furthermore, for relaxing at home in 2008 it increased to 13% from 8% in 1958.

Furthermore, employed people from 2008 has spent 7% of their time for travelling to work which was way more higher than 1958 were at 2%. However, In 1958 adults spent 19% of their day for going out with friends or family whereas in 2008 it was comparatively lower at 6%. Although, in both years working adults had spent almost same time for playing sport which was 6% and 7% respectively.

Overall, the working time for an average adult has increased than 1958 and it has reduced time for other activities in their daily life.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

You have successfully identified the main features of the pie charts and provided a clear overview. You included relevant data points to support your comparisons, such as the increase in working hours and the decrease in socialising. However, the response could be improved by ensuring more precise data reporting. For instance, you mention 'nearly worked half a day' for 42%, which is slightly inaccurate as 42% is less than half. Additionally, the description of 'quarter half sleeping' is confusing and mathematically imprecise. To reach a higher band, ensure that all data descriptions are accurate and that comparisons are consistently clear throughout the report.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is organised into logical paragraphs, with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a summary. You use cohesive devices such as 'However', 'Furthermore', and 'Although' to link ideas. However, some of these transitions are used mechanically or slightly incorrectly, such as starting two consecutive paragraphs with 'Furthermore'. The referencing is generally clear, but the flow between sentences could be smoother. To improve, try to vary your linking words and ensure that the progression of ideas feels more natural rather than just listing facts from the charts.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You have an adequate range of vocabulary to describe the data, using terms like 'employed adult', 'comparatively lower', and 'daily life'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'way more higher' (which is grammatically redundant) and 'schedule of an employed adult' (where 'time allocation' would be more precise). There are also minor errors in phrasing, such as 'spent quarter half sleeping'. To improve, focus on using more precise academic vocabulary and avoid redundant comparative structures.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

You demonstrate a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical errors throughout the text. Examples include subject-verb agreement issues ('The pie charts compares'), incorrect tense usage ('has spent' instead of 'spent'), and awkward phrasing ('1958 were at 2%'). Punctuation is generally functional, but there are errors in sentence construction that occasionally distract the reader. To achieve a higher band, focus on consistent tense usage when describing past data and ensure subject-verb agreement is accurate.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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