Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-02

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)

Writing

The given line graph provides information on the number of participants for different activities at one social centre in Melbourne for the period 2000 to 2020.

If we take a look at the given line graph we can see that maximum number of participants are engaged in the Film Club from the starting of 2000 to 2020, while the Musical performances are the minimum. Infact there was not even a single participant in Musical performance in 2000 but it started to grow up in 2005.

Now, if we consider Amateur dramatics, It grew in the starting but started to fall in 2005 and was lowest in 2020. In 2000 table tennis was had less than 20 participants but then had a drastic increase in the number of participants and was highest in 2020 with 50 plus participants. Martial arts had a good number of participants from the beginning but number of participants fluctuated and the highest participants were in 2010 which were 40.

AI examiner evaluation

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

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main features of the graph, identifying trends for the different activities. However, it lacks a clear overview, which is essential for a Band 7 or higher. The description of the data is somewhat mechanical, listing trends activity by activity rather than synthesising the information effectively. While the key features are identified, such as the rise in table tennis and the fluctuations in martial arts, the comparison between categories could be more sophisticated. To improve, ensure you include a distinct 'overview' paragraph that highlights the most significant trends or differences across the entire period.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the information. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat repetitive and basic (e.g., 'Now, if we consider', 'In 2000'). The transition between sentences could be smoother to improve the flow of information. While the logical progression is generally clear, the lack of a strong introductory overview and a concluding summary makes the structure feel slightly disjointed. Using a wider range of linking words and ensuring each paragraph has a clear focus would enhance the overall coherence.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary used is adequate for the task but lacks variety and precision. Phrases like 'grow up', 'started to fall', and 'had a good number' are functional but simplistic. There are some inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'Infact' (which should be 'In fact') and 'table tennis was had less than' (a grammatical error affecting lexical clarity). To reach a higher band, you should incorporate more precise academic vocabulary related to trends, such as 'experienced a significant surge', 'remained relatively stable', or 'witnessed a downward trend'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. However, there are several grammatical errors that occasionally distract the reader, such as 'In 2000 table tennis was had less than 20 participants' and 'maximum number of participants are engaged'. The use of articles and verb tenses is inconsistent. While the meaning remains clear, the frequency of these errors prevents the response from reaching a higher band. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and refining the use of passive voice for data description would significantly improve the accuracy of your writing.

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

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