Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Recent IELTS Exams (Canada & India) · 2026-09-04
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 5.0)
The pie charts compares the percentage of the day spent by working adults on different activities from 1958 to 2008.
Overview, it is evident that the percentage of working by adults is higher in both given years, whereas the proportion of travelling to work were limited. In addition, the percentile of going out with friends and family was also least.
In 1985, the proportion of working and sleeping was similar at 33% and 32% respectively. The range between day spent on going out with friends or family and relaxing at home 1% to 19%, while less days spent on travelling to work it was only 2%.
In 2008, the percentage of adult who spent most of their days on sleeping and working ranged between 25% and 42%. Travelling to work and sports playing was nearly the same 7%. Relaxing at home and going out with friends and family illustrate a difference of 7%.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response attempts to summarise the main features, but the analysis is hindered by significant inaccuracies in data reporting. For instance, you mention '1985' instead of '1958', and the figures provided for 2008 (e.g., 'ranged between 25% and 42%') are vague and do not accurately reflect the specific percentages shown in the charts. While you identify some trends, the lack of precision in data interpretation means the task is only partially addressed. To improve, ensure you carefully transcribe the data from the charts and focus on clear, comparative statements rather than listing numbers in a way that obscures the actual trends.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into paragraphs, which is a positive step. However, the logical flow is often disrupted by awkward phrasing and unclear transitions. The use of cohesive devices is limited and sometimes mechanical, such as the opening 'Overview, it is evident'. The progression of ideas between sentences is occasionally disjointed, making it difficult for the reader to follow the comparison between the two years. Improving the use of linking words (e.g., 'in contrast', 'conversely', 'meanwhile') would help create a more professional and cohesive structure.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary range is quite limited and repetitive. There are several instances of imprecise word choice, such as using 'percentile' when you mean 'percentage' or 'proportion'. Additionally, phrases like 'less days spent' are grammatically awkward and lexically weak. To reach a higher band, you should aim to use a wider variety of vocabulary related to data description, such as 'account for', 'constitute', 'a significant proportion', or 'a marginal increase'. Focusing on accurate collocations will also help improve the clarity and sophistication of your writing.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede communication. Examples include subject-verb agreement issues ('The pie charts compares', 'the proportion... were limited') and incorrect preposition usage. The sentence structures are mostly simple, and attempts at more complex sentences often result in errors, such as 'the percentage of adult who spent most of their days on sleeping and working ranged between 25% and 42%'. To improve, focus on mastering basic subject-verb agreement and ensuring that your sentence structures are grammatically sound before attempting more complex constructions.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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