Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-20
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 graph below illustrates the numbers of participants in Melbourne, Australia in five different activities between 2000 and 2020. Overall, film club remained at the top of popularity over the years, while musical performances appeared by 2005. Table tennis reached the second place by 2020, while amateur dramatics dropped dramatically by 2020. Martial arts figures fluctuated but stayed around the same range.
Looking at Film club figures, which was at the peak throughout the years reached around 65 in 2000 before dropped slightly in 2005 and 2010 to nearly 60, then increased again in 2015 and reached the highest point in 2020 by 65.
Turning to musical performance numbers, which started only by 2005, recorded 12 in 2010 then rose in 2015 and 2020 in order, 17 and 18 approximately.
Table tennis showed gradual increase stating by around 16 in 2000 and ended by more than 50 in 2020, while martial arts fluctuated between the thirties and forties sections and recorded 35 in 2020. Amateur dramatics that showed moderate interest in 2020 to around 25, also showed significant inclination to 5 in 2020.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0
The student successfully covers all parts of the task by reporting on all five activities across the 2000 to 2020 timeframe. An overview is provided in the first paragraph, capturing key trends such as the Film club remaining the most popular and the emergence of musical performances. Key features and comparisons are highlighted, such as the dramatic rise of table tennis and the significant decline of amateur dramatics. The data reported is generally accurate and aligns well with the visual information provided. However, there are minor instances of slight data imprecision or awkward phrasing, such as 'showed moderate interest in 2020 to around 25, also showed significant inclination to 5 in 2020', which slightly confuses the description of amateur dramatics. Overall, the task is well addressed, earning a solid Band 6.5.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response has a clear overall progression, starting with an introductory overview paragraph followed by body paragraphs detailing specific activities. Cohesive devices are used to connect ideas, such as 'Overall', 'Looking at', 'Turning to', and 'while'. However, paragraphing could be structured more cleanly, and some sentences feature clunky transitions or run-on structures that affect readability. Referencing is generally clear, though occasional awkward phrasing makes the logical flow slightly mechanical in places. The progression of information moves reasonably from overall trends to specific group details, meeting the criteria for Band 6.0.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, attempting less common items such as 'fluctuated', 'dramatically', 'inclination', and 'gradual increase'. There are, however, several lexical errors and awkward word choices, such as 'at the peak throughout the years reached' (grammar and collocation issue), 'stating by' instead of 'starting by', and 'moderate interest' used where numbers or levels of participation are intended. Spelling is generally correct, but word choice inaccuracies and occasional strain in collocation prevent the response from reaching a higher band. This performance sits comfortably at Band 6.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, incorporating relative clauses like 'which was at the peak' and participial phrases. However, grammatical control is inconsistent, resulting in several noticeable errors. Examples include 'before dropped slightly' (missing subject/tense agreement), 'amateur dramatics that showed moderate interest... also showed significant inclination' (fragmented or poorly linked clause structure), and missing prepositions. While these errors do not completely obscure meaning, they occur frequently enough to prevent the grammar score from reaching Band 6.5 or higher. A score of 6.0 is appropriate here.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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