Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-07
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)
This graph below illustrates the information on the numbers of participants of different activities at one social centre in Melbourne, Australia, for the period 2000 to 2020
Film club participants remain the highest overall during the period of time, while amateur dramatics remain the lowest; in contrast, other participants remain the same with highs and lows.
In 2000, the firm club was 65%, and it remained 65% in 2020. Then amateur dramatics was 25% in 2000 and then declined to 5% in 2020.
Tables tennis was 15% in 2000 and then increased up to 55% in 2020
Martial arts was 35% in 2000 and remains the same in 2020, while the musical performances were 0% in 2000 and increased to 15% in 2020
So the final outcome is that, except for firm clubs and amateur dramatics, the rest remains the same by increasing over the period of time from 2000 to 2020.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main features of the graph, such as the trends for film clubs and amateur dramatics. However, the analysis is somewhat superficial. The overview provided in the second paragraph is inaccurate; for example, stating that 'other participants remain the same' contradicts the data, as table tennis and musical performances show clear growth. The report lacks a clear, analytical structure, and the summary of trends is overly simplistic. To reach a higher band, you should group data more logically (e.g., categories that increased vs. those that decreased) and ensure the overview accurately reflects the overall trends rather than just listing individual data points.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is organised into short paragraphs, but the logical progression is weak. The use of cohesive devices is mechanical and repetitive, such as the frequent use of 'in 2000' and 'in 2020' to start sentences. The transition between the overview and the body paragraphs is abrupt, and the final sentence, 'So the final outcome is that...', is an informal way to conclude a formal report. Improving the use of linking words like 'whereas,' 'subsequently,' or 'in contrast' would help create a smoother flow between your observations.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks variety and precision. You rely heavily on basic verbs like 'remain,' 'increased,' and 'declined.' There are also minor errors in word choice, such as 'firm club' instead of 'film club' and 'Tables tennis' instead of 'Table tennis.' To improve, try to incorporate more sophisticated vocabulary to describe trends, such as 'remained stable,' 'experienced a significant rise,' or 'witnessed a downward trend.' The range is sufficient to convey the basic meaning, but it does not demonstrate the flexibility required for higher bands.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response uses a mix of simple and some complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors. For instance, 'This graph below illustrates the information on the numbers of participants of different activities' is slightly awkward; 'participants in' would be more accurate. There are also issues with subject-verb agreement and tense consistency, such as 'the firm club was 65%,' which should be 'the film club accounted for 65%.' Punctuation is also inconsistent, with missing full stops at the end of some sentences. Focusing on sentence variety and proofreading for basic errors will significantly improve your score.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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