Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-28
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 line graph illustrates the number of participants for multiple activities at one social centre in Melbourne, Australia between 2000 and 2020.
Overall, the number of participants in table tennis and musical performance increased steadily, while the number of participants in film club, martial arts and amateur dramatics decreased dramatically over the period.
In 2000, the number of participants in table tennis increased from about 17 in 2000 to approximately 55 in 2020. Moreover, there was no change from 2000 to 2005, but the number of participants in musical performance increased steadily over one and a half decades from 0 in 2005 to about 18 in 2020. Furthermore, there were fluctuations in martial arts over the two decades from approximately 37 in 2000 to 38 in 2020.
In contrast, the number of participants in the film club decreased from approximately 65 in 2000 to 60 in 2010. After 2010, it increased steadily from approximately 60 to 69 in 2020. Furthermore, the number of participants in amateur dramatics gradually increased over half a decade from about 27 in 2000 to approximately 29 in 2005, and dramatically decreased over one and a half decades from about 29 in 2005 to approximately 8 in 2020.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5
The student covers all parts of the task by reporting on the main features and trends for all five activities shown in the graph. An overview is provided, noting the general upward trend for table tennis and musical performances and downward trends for others, which satisfies core requirements. However, there are some inaccuracies in the overview and body paragraphs regarding specific trends; for instance, the student states that the film club, martial arts, and amateur dramatics decreased dramatically over the period, whereas the film club actually ended higher at 66 and martial arts experienced relative stability. Furthermore, minor data points are misread, such as claiming table tennis 'increased from about 17 in 2000 to approximately 55 in 2020' (it was 16 in 2000). Despite these inconsistencies, the overall selection of data is relevant and addresses the prompt adequately, earning a Band 6.0.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0
The response has a clear overall arrangement with an introductory sentence, an overview paragraph, and separated body paragraphs detailing specific trends. Cohesive devices are used to guide the reader through the data, such as 'In 2000,' 'Moreover,' 'Furthermore,' and 'In contrast.' However, paragraphing could be structured more logically, and some transitions feel slightly mechanical or are placed inappropriately (e.g., introducing a table tennis trend starting with 'In 2000' but immediately quoting figures across the whole span up to 2020). Referencing and logical progression are generally maintained, but minor awkwardness in sequencing holds this criterion at a solid Band 6.5.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for an academic task, attempting functional phrases like 'illustrates the number of participants,' 'increased steadily,' 'decreased dramatically,' and 'fluctuations.' There are some inappropriate word choices and inaccuracies, such as claiming table tennis 'increased from about 17 in 2000' within a sentence ostensibly about the year 2000, and confusing trend directions in the overview ('decreased dramatically' for film club, which rose from 64 to 66). Less common lexical items are attempted but occasionally lack precise collocation or accuracy. Spelling is generally accurate throughout the text, warranting a Band 6.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5
The student employs a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, utilizing relative clauses, subordinate clauses, and prepositional phrases (e.g., 'The line graph illustrates the number of participants for multiple activities at one social centre...'). There are several grammatical errors and awkward phrasings, such as 'In 2000, the number of participants in table tennis increased from about 17 in 2000 to approximately 55 in 2020,' which misplaces the timeframe context, and 'over one and a half decades from 0 in 2005 to about 18 in 2020.' While these errors do not seriously impede overall communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent the score from reaching Band 7.0. Control of grammar and punctuation is fair, supporting a Band 6.0.
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