Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Recent IELTS Exams (Canada & India) · 2026-10-13

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 compares how working adults in a specific country spent their daily time across diffrent activities in 1958 anf 2008.

Overall, working took up the largest share of time in 1958 and 2008. While, sleeping saw noticeable reduction. Additionally, people spent significantly less time going out with friends and family.

In 1985, working and sleeping made up most of the day. Work accounted for 33% of daily routine, while sleep accounted for 32%. However, by 2008 working time went up to 42%, making it the single largest activity, while time spent sleeping dropped to 25%.

Looking at leisure and commute times, going out with friends or family saw a big decline from 19% in 1958 to just 6% in 2008. In contarst, relaxing at home increased from 8% to 13%. Commu

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the main overall changes: working became the largest category, while sleeping and socialising declined. The comparisons of work (33% to 42%), sleep (32% to 25%), and going out (19% to 6%) are accurate and relevant. However, the response only partially covers the chart: it does not report the 2% to 7% rise in commuting, the increase in relaxing at home is mentioned but not fully developed, and playing sports in 2008 is omitted. There is also a factual date error: “In 1985” should be 1958. The response is 17 words below the required minimum, and it ends mid-word (“Commu”), leaving the final comparison incomplete. Include the remaining categories and a complete concluding comparison to address the task more fully.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, an overview, and paragraphs comparing the main figures. Phrases such as “Overall,” “However,” and “In contrast” help signal relationships between ideas. However, progression is weakened by the incomplete final sentence, “Commu,” which leaves the discussion of commuting unfinished. The overview also repeats the decline in going out without previewing other important changes, and the final paragraph groups several categories without completing its comparison. Develop a clear sequence—for example, work and sleep first, then leisure and travel—and ensure each paragraph is complete. Avoid the awkward transition “While,” after a full stop; connect it directly to the preceding sentence.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a suitable range of task vocabulary, including “accounted for,” “single largest activity,” “decline,” and “increased,” and these choices generally communicate the comparisons clearly. Some wording is less precise or informal for an academic chart summary: “daily routine” is not the same as a share of the day, and “a big decline” could be expressed more formally. There are also noticeable spelling errors, including “diffrent,” “anf,” and “contarst,” which reduce the accuracy of the vocabulary. The unfinished “Commu” also prevents the intended term from being understood. Proofread spelling and choose precise chart language such as “proportion of the day” or “share of time.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and more complex structures, including “While sleeping saw noticeable reduction” and the contrast introduced by “However.” Most of the main comparisons remain understandable, but some sentence construction and punctuation need attention. “While, sleeping saw noticeable reduction” uses a comma incorrectly after “While” and lacks an article before “noticeable reduction.” The opening “The pie chart compares” is also singular although the task presents two charts. The sentence beginning “In 1985” is grammatically formed but gives the wrong year; check the source information as well as sentence form. The final fragment, “Commu,” is incomplete. Use complete sentences, check articles and punctuation, and proofread the finished response.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.