Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Recent IELTS Exams (Canada & India) · 2026-08-15
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 depict data about proportion of the day spent by working adults on certain works in 1958 and 2008. It is quite evident that in both years 1958 and 2008 the highest proportion noted for working activity. Besides that the least proportion marked for travelling to work in 1958 and the activity going out with friends and family in 2008.
In 2008, the percentage of the day spent by an adult for travelling to work was 7%, which was almost 3 times higher than proportion of 1958 for the same, 2%. In 1958 percentage of going out with friends was 19%, and in 2008 it was 6%, so the range was more than doubled in 1958. Furthermore, in 1958 there were approximately equal proportion between working and sleeping activities, 33% and 33%. Consequently, in 2008 playing sports and travelling to work had same percentage, that was 7%. However, Relaxing at home had different proportion in both years, 8% in 1958 and 13% in 2008. Additionally, in year 2008 sleeping activity was almost half from working activity, that was 25% and 42%.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
You have successfully identified the main features of the charts and provided relevant comparisons. You covered the key data points for both 1958 and 2008. However, the analysis is somewhat mechanical, listing figures rather than synthesizing the information into a cohesive narrative. For example, stating 'the range was more than doubled' is mathematically confusing in this context. To reach a higher band, focus on grouping the data more effectively—such as highlighting the significant shift from leisure activities to work-related commitments—rather than simply listing percentages for each category. Ensure all comparisons are accurate to improve the clarity of your report.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into two clear paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the information. You use some cohesive devices like 'Besides that', 'Furthermore', and 'Consequently' to link ideas. However, some transitions feel slightly forced or unnatural, such as 'Consequently' used to introduce a comparison between sports and travel. The referencing is occasionally unclear, particularly when discussing the 'range' of the data. Improving the flow between sentences by using more varied linking words and ensuring that each paragraph has a clear thematic focus would enhance the overall coherence of your writing.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
Your vocabulary is adequate for the task, allowing you to describe the data clearly. You use terms like 'proportion', 'activity', and 'depict' appropriately. However, there is a lack of variety, and some phrasing is repetitive, such as the frequent use of 'proportion' and 'percentage'. To improve, try to incorporate more precise synonyms and collocations related to data description, such as 'accounted for', 'witnessed a shift', or 'remained stable'. Additionally, ensure that your word choices are contextually accurate, as some phrasing, such as 'certain works', is slightly unnatural in this context.
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, such as missing articles ('the' proportion, 'in year 2008') and awkward phrasing ('almost half from working activity'). Some sentences are slightly fragmented or lack proper prepositional usage, which affects the fluency of your writing. To achieve a higher score, focus on improving your control over articles and prepositions, and try to vary your sentence structure further by using more complex clauses to describe the changes in the data.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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