Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-23

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 given chart illustrates the number of participants for different activities such as, Film club, Martial arts, Amateur dramatics, Table tennis and Musical performances at social centre in Melbourne, Australia for the year duration from 2000 to 2020.

In year 2000, the participation of Film club was of 65 participants where Martial arts participation was lower than Film club which was 37 participants only, in Amateur dramatics there were 27 number of participants had too part where in Table tennis there were just 16 participants had registered themselves, no one had took part in Musical performance in 2000 but there was participation in that in year 2010 with 10 participants and Table tennis and Amateur dramatic held the same position of participation with number of 15 but Amateur dramatics massively increased in year 2020 with 52 participants and Film club have maintained the number of participation as year 2020. Table tennis participation decreased in year 2020 with 5 participation where Martial arts participation steadily maintained it position as year 2000.

Overall, Amateur dramatics increased drastically in year 2020 but with that speed Table tennis participation fallen down, Film club have maintained their participation continuously and Martial arts have also maintained the position well.

AI examiner evaluation

CriterionBand
Task Achievement / Task Response5.5
Coherence and Cohesion5.5
Lexical Resource5.5
Grammatical Range and Accuracy5.0
Overall5.5

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers all categories and time periods, but the presentation of data is often confusing and lacks clarity. While the main features are identified, the description of trends is hampered by inaccurate reporting of figures (e.g., stating Film club maintained participation in 2020 when the graph shows a decline). The overview is present but lacks a clear synthesis of the most significant trends, focusing instead on listing specific data points. To improve, focus on grouping data logically rather than listing every figure chronologically, and ensure that the data reported accurately reflects the visual information provided in the graph.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organised into three paragraphs, but the internal structure of the second paragraph is problematic. It is a long, run-on sentence structure that makes it difficult for the reader to follow the progression of information. Cohesive devices are used, but they are often repetitive or mechanically applied, such as the frequent use of 'and' to link disparate ideas. Paragraphing is present, but the logical flow within the body paragraph is weak. Using more varied transition signals and breaking down long, complex sentences would significantly improve the readability and logical flow of the response.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks precision and variety. There are several instances of awkward phrasing, such as 'had too part' (took part) and 'fallen down' (declined). The range of vocabulary is limited, relying on basic verbs like 'increased' and 'maintained'. To reach a higher band, you should incorporate more precise academic vocabulary related to data description, such as 'fluctuated', 'remained stable', or 'experienced a sharp decline'. Additionally, be careful with word forms and collocations to ensure the language sounds natural and professional.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede communication. There are issues with subject-verb agreement, tense consistency (e.g., 'no one had took part'), and sentence structure. Many sentences are run-on, lacking appropriate punctuation to separate distinct ideas. While there is an attempt to use complex structures, these are often faulty, leading to confusion. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence construction, ensuring correct verb tenses, and using commas and full stops effectively to separate clauses. Reducing the length of sentences will help you maintain better control over your grammar.

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.