Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-28
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 following graph gives us data on participants at a social centre in Melbourne, Australia for the year 2000 to 2020.
Overall, bar chart shows the film club has highest number of participants and table tennis players inclined gradually throughout the period. However, amateur dramatics has the lowest participants that declined with the passage of time. While amateur dramatics has the lowest number of participants. The graph rose till 2005 then there was ultimate decrease in the graph. On the other hand, martical arts fluctuated sightly, whereas musical performances showed gradual increase in 2005.
Looking at the graph, Film club has 65 participants which is the highest amoung all social centre that decreased till 2010 but showed inclination till 2020. After that, Table tennis participants increased from 2000 to 2010 then there was a huge incline in the graph with 55 participants. Martical arts fluctuated slighly having 35 participants in the end.
Following this, musical performances rose gradually througout the period from 2005 to 2020.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main features of the graph, but the analysis is inconsistent and lacks precision. While you identify the film club and amateur dramatics, the description of trends is often inaccurate or confusing. For example, you state that amateur dramatics 'declined with the passage of time' but then mention a rise until 2005, which creates a contradiction. Furthermore, the data points provided (e.g., '65 participants' for the film club) are not clearly linked to specific years, making it difficult for the reader to follow the trends. To improve, ensure that your summary of trends is supported by accurate data points and that you avoid contradictory statements.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into paragraphs, but the logical flow is hindered by repetitive phrasing and awkward transitions. For instance, the sentence 'While amateur dramatics has the lowest number of participants' is a fragment and does not connect well to the following sentence. The use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical, such as the repetitive use of 'the graph' to start sentences. Paragraphing is present, but the internal structure of the paragraphs lacks a clear progression of ideas. Improving the use of linking words and ensuring that each sentence flows logically from the previous one will significantly enhance the coherence of your writing.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
You have a limited range of vocabulary, and there are several spelling errors and word-choice inaccuracies. Words like 'martical' (martial) and 'amoung' (among) are misspelled. Additionally, phrases like 'inclined gradually' and 'ultimate decrease' are used in ways that do not accurately describe the data trends. You rely on basic vocabulary and struggle to use more sophisticated terms to describe changes in the graph. To reach a higher band, focus on learning specific collocations for describing trends, such as 'a steady increase' or 'a significant fluctuation,' and pay closer attention to spelling.
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 missing articles (e.g., 'bar chart shows'), subject-verb agreement errors (e.g., 'film club has highest number'), and awkward phrasing. Some sentences are grammatically incomplete or poorly constructed, such as 'While amateur dramatics has the lowest number of participants.' To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence construction, including the correct use of articles and prepositions, and ensure that your sentences are complete and grammatically sound before moving on to more complex structures.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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