Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Recent IELTS Exams (Canada & India) · 2026-10-19

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 illustrate how working adults in a specific country spent their day on different activites in 1958 and 2008.

Overall, it is clear that working adults spent their most of time doing work. However, it is also increased slightly over the period of time. On the other hand, sleeping also covered a huge portion of their time, but it is slightly decreased over the period of time. In contrast, they spent least of their time on travelling to work.

In detail, it is evident that spending time on going out with family and friends decreased significantly over the period of time. Likewise, spending time on sleeping also decreased slightly over the period of time. In contrast, spending time on relaxing at home increased marginally.

Turning to playing sports takes 11 percent but it was then decreased to only 7 percent in 2008. While, it can be seen that most of the time working adult spent on working.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the broad pattern that work takes the largest share and that sleeping and socialising decline, while time relaxing at home rises. However, the account is only partly accurate and developed: work rises from 33% to 42%, which is a notable increase rather than a slight one, and travelling to work is not the smallest category in 2008 because it is tied with playing sports at 7%. Most importantly, the statement that sports took 11% is unsupported; the chart shows it only in 2008, at 7%. Several key figures are omitted, so comparisons remain general. Include accurate percentages for the main changes and give a concise overview that captures the rise in work and travel alongside the decline in sleep and socialising.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, an overview and detail paragraphs, and it uses linking expressions such as “Overall,” “On the other hand” and “In contrast.” This gives the reader some guidance. However, progression is limited: the second paragraph repeats the overview, and the final paragraph introduces sports and then returns abruptly to working. The repeated phrase “over the period of time” also makes the links mechanical. Some connections are unclear, particularly “While, it can be seen,” which does not form a complete contrast with the preceding sentence. Group the figures into clear comparisons—rising categories and falling categories—and use references and transitions that show how each detail relates to the overview.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant vocabulary for describing the charts, including “decreased significantly,” “increased marginally” and “portion,” and the meaning is generally understandable. However, the range is narrow and several expressions are repetitive or imprecise, especially “spent their most of time,” “huge portion” and the repeated “over the period of time.” There is also a spelling error in “activites.” The phrase “takes 11 percent” is not only inaccurate for the data but also an unsuitable way to report a chart value. Aim for more precise reporting language and vary verbs such as “accounted for,” “rose” and “fell.” Check spelling and collocations when editing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The response includes simple statements and some attempts at contrast, and the main message can usually be followed. However, control is uneven, particularly in longer or linked sentences. For example, “working adults spent their most of time” has an incorrect possessive construction, while “However, it is also increased slightly” uses an unnecessary passive form. “Turning to playing sports takes 11 percent but it was then decreased” shifts tense and does not form a well-controlled sentence; the opening “While” clause is also left without a clear main clause. Use straightforward past-tense reporting structures, such as “Work accounted for 33% in 1958 and rose to 42% in 2008,” and check articles, verb forms and sentence boundaries.

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

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