Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-16
IELTS Writing Task 1 question
The graph below gives information on the numbers of participants for different activities at one social centre in Melbourne, Australia for the period 2000 to 2020.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Student answer (Band 5.5)
The graph illustrates the information on the number of participates for different activities at one social centre in Melbourne, Australia for the period of 2000 to 2020.
There are two activities Table tennis, and Musical performances who's number of participants roses significantly throughout this period. Amateur dramatics participants data fluctuated. In contrast there are two activities that had slightly variation in data. Film club had highest number of participants while Musical performances had lowest number of participants in 2005, However the numbers increased gradually.
Film club and Martial arts had highest number of participants in comparison to other activities. There participants number fluctuated slightly but at the end of 2020 the participants are approximately same as in 2000. In 2010 Film club hits its lowest point around 60 while Martial arts has highest number of participants around 40.
Amateur dramatics participants were approximately 35 in 2000, this activity had lowest participants in 2010. After this point its participants significantly decreased. Table tennis participants number was around 18 in 2000, and it keep growing and even crossed the Martial arts participants in 2025. Musical performances participants were 0 in 2000. It start growing from 2005 and it grows around 20 in 2020.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response covers the main features of the graph, but there are significant inaccuracies in the data reporting. For instance, you mention that 'Musical performances' had the lowest participants in 2005, yet the graph shows this activity starting at zero in 2000. Furthermore, you reference the year 2025, which is outside the provided data range (2000–2020). While you attempt to highlight trends, the misinterpretation of specific data points hinders the overall accuracy of the summary. To improve, ensure you carefully cross-reference the axes and labels before writing, and avoid including information not present in the prompt.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the logical progression is often disrupted by confusing transitions and unclear referencing. For example, the phrase 'In contrast there are two activities that had slightly variation' is grammatically awkward and lacks a clear link to the previous sentence. Cohesive devices are used, but they are often mechanical or misused, such as the abrupt transition 'However the numbers increased gradually' which lacks a clear subject. Improving the use of linking words like 'furthermore', 'consequently', or 'whereas' would help create a smoother flow between ideas.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks precision and variety. You rely on repetitive phrasing, such as 'number of participants' and 'highest number of participants', which appears in almost every paragraph. There are also errors in word formation and choice, such as 'participates' instead of 'participants' and 'slightly variation' instead of 'slight variation'. To reach a higher band, try to use a broader range of synonyms and more precise collocations to describe trends, such as 'a steady climb' or 'a marginal fluctuation'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Common issues include subject-verb agreement ('participants data fluctuated', 'it keep growing'), incorrect verb tenses ('it start growing'), and punctuation errors. The use of relative pronouns is also problematic, as seen in 'Musical performances who's number of participants roses'. While the meaning is generally understandable, the high frequency of these errors limits the score. Focusing on basic sentence construction and proofreading for tense consistency will significantly improve your accuracy.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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