Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Recent IELTS Exams (Canada & India) · 2026-08-20
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 chart illustrates the proportion of the how working adults spent their time in 1958 and 2008.
Overall, In 1958 Working accounted for the largest proportion. While Travelling to work represents the smallest share. On the other hand, In 2008 Working accounted the largest proportion. While Going out with friends/family had the lowest share.
According to chart In 1958, Working shared the largest proportion 33%. This was followed by Sleeping, which accounted for 32%. By comparison, Going out with friends/family, Relaxing at home and Travelling to work at 19%,8% and 2% respectively.
Turning to remaining chart, In 2008 Working had the largest proportion 42% . This was followed by Sleeping, which accounted for 25%. In contrast, playing sports had the added 7% of the proportion. By comparison, going out with friends/family fell slightly 19% to 6%. While Travelling to work rose steadily 2% to 7%. Relaxing at home had slightly increased 8% to 13% in 2008.
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
The response covers the main features of the charts and makes relevant comparisons between the two years. However, the overview is somewhat weak; it simply lists the highest and lowest categories without highlighting the most significant trends, such as the increase in working time or the decrease in time spent going out. Additionally, there are some inaccuracies in data reporting, such as stating 'playing sports had the added 7% of the proportion' in 2008, which is confusingly phrased. To improve, ensure the overview synthesizes the data rather than just listing it, and double-check that all figures are presented clearly and accurately.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the information. However, the use of cohesive devices is often mechanical or repetitive, such as the frequent use of 'This was followed by' and 'By comparison'. Some transitions between sentences feel abrupt, and the referencing is occasionally unclear, particularly in the paragraph discussing 2008. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring that sentences flow more naturally into one another would help elevate the coherence of the response.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, but it lacks the range and precision required for a higher band. There is a reliance on basic verbs like 'had', 'accounted for', and 'shared'. Some phrasing is unnatural, such as 'playing sports had the added 7% of the proportion'. To achieve a higher score, you should incorporate more precise reporting verbs and nouns, such as 'constituted', 'comprised', 'experienced a decline', or 'witnessed a steady rise'. Expanding your range of collocations will make your writing more sophisticated and accurate.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Examples include 'proportion of the how working adults', 'According to chart In 1958', and 'fell slightly 19% to 6%'. There are also issues with punctuation and missing prepositions. While the meaning is generally understandable, the frequency of these errors suggests a need for more careful proofreading and a better grasp of sentence construction, particularly regarding the use of articles and prepositions in data descriptions.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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