Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-11
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 provided graph illustrates information on the number of participants for different activities at a social center in Melbourne; Australia between 2000 and 2020.
Overall, it can be observed at a glance that participants of the club in 2000 were 65. It can also be seen that members of Amateur dramatics dropped in 2020. Whereas table tennis contestants rose from 25 to 50 in the figure in 2020.
More in-depth it can be seen that participants of the club have marginally decreased to 60 but then increased in 2020 to 65. Moreover martial arts members slightly decreased to 30 but then increased to same level as it began, 40 in the figure. Amateur dramatics contestants first dropped to 5 in 2020. Further examination shows that table tennis participants increased and overtook the Amateur dramatics and Martial arts members. It can be observed that Musical performance members number is 0 in 2005 and then rose to 25 .
In conclusion , it can be seen that Australians are more interested in the club and less interested in amateur dramatics.
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, but the analysis is somewhat inconsistent. While you identify key trends, some data points are described inaccurately or lack clarity, such as the mention of 'participants of the club' without specifying which activity is being referred to. The overview is present but lacks a clear synthesis of the most significant trends. To improve, ensure that every data point mentioned is clearly linked to the correct category and that the overview highlights the most striking differences or similarities across the entire period rather than just listing individual fluctuations.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and repetitive, with phrases like 'it can be seen that' appearing multiple times. The logical progression between sentences is occasionally hindered by unclear referencing, such as 'participants of the club', which makes it difficult to track which activity is being discussed. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring that each pronoun or reference clearly points back to its antecedent would significantly enhance the flow of your writing.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'illustrates', 'marginally decreased', and 'overtook'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'contestants' to describe participants in social activities, which is slightly unnatural in this context. Additionally, the repetition of basic verbs limits your score. To reach a higher band, try to incorporate more precise vocabulary related to trends and data, such as 'fluctuated', 'remained stable', or 'peaked', and ensure that your terminology is appropriate for the specific context of social activities.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as punctuation issues (e.g., 'Melbourne; Australia') and awkward phrasing like 'increased to same level as it began'. While these errors do not completely impede communication, they are frequent enough to affect the overall clarity. To improve, focus on mastering basic punctuation rules and ensuring subject-verb agreement. Incorporating a wider variety of complex structures, such as relative clauses or participle phrases, while maintaining accuracy, will help you achieve a higher band score.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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