Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Recent IELTS Exams (Canada & India) · 2026-08-26

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 given pie chart illustrates the spent time of working adults in a particular country in 1958 and 2008

As we have our view on 1958 we can see the most of the part is covered with working which is 33% and the second most part is sleeping which is 32% rather than that 19% of the day is for going out with their friends and family. Also 8% of the day is kept for relaxing at home and 2% of the part is for travelling to work and the rest of the day is spent for playing sports

On the other hand in 2008 which is compared to 1958 the working time is 42% and sleeping time is less i.e 25%. And relaxing time is more which is 13% also travelling time takes 7% which is as similar time as playing sports. The least time is given taken for going out with friends and family.

In conclusion, 2008 priority to work is given more and less to sleep .Also time spent friend and family is decreases with increasing in relaxation time at home

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main features of the charts, but the analysis is somewhat superficial. While you identified key trends, such as the increase in working time and the decrease in sleep, the report lacks a clear overview or summary of the most significant changes. The data is presented in a list-like fashion rather than being synthesized for comparison. To improve, ensure you group related data points and highlight the most striking differences or similarities between the two years rather than simply listing percentages for each category.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organized into paragraphs, which is a positive step. However, the flow between sentences is often mechanical and repetitive. Phrases like 'As we have our view on' and 'rather than that' are unnatural and do not effectively link ideas. The use of cohesive devices is limited, and the progression of information feels disjointed. To improve, use a wider variety of linking words and transition phrases (e.g., 'In contrast,' 'Conversely,' 'Furthermore') to create a more logical and fluid connection between your observations.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks the precision and variety expected at higher bands. You rely on basic phrasing such as 'most of the part' and 'least time is given taken'. There are also some awkward collocations, such as 'priority to work is given more'. To reach a higher band, try to incorporate more sophisticated vocabulary related to data description, such as 'accounted for,' 'witnessed a rise,' 'remained stable,' or 'a significant shift in the proportion of time'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains a mix of simple and some attempted complex structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors. Issues include missing articles ('the working time'), incorrect preposition usage ('spent for'), and punctuation errors. Some sentences are run-on or lack necessary conjunctions, such as 'Also time spent friend and family is decreases with increasing in relaxation time'. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement and ensure that your sentence structures are grammatically sound. Proofreading for basic errors like missing 'the' or incorrect verb forms will significantly improve your score.

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

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