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 rose steadily, while the number of participants in film club, martial arts and amateur dramatics declined dramatically over the period.
In 2000, the number of participants in table tennis went from about 17 to approximately 55 in 2020. Moreover, the figure remained stable from 2000 to 2005, but the number of participants in musical performance fell steadily over one and a half decades from 17 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 declined from approximately 65 in 2000 to 60 in 2010. After 2010, it climbed 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 | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5
The student attempts to cover the main features of the line graph, providing an overall summary and reporting specific data points. However, there are significant factual inaccuracies in the data interpretation. For example, the student claims that musical performance fell steadily from 17 in 2005 to about 18 in 2020, which misinterprets the graph where musical performances started at 0 in 2000 and 2005, and rose to 18 in 2020. Additionally, table tennis started around 16 in 2000, not 17, and rose to 54. While the overview captures the general trends for most categories, the confusion over the data points (such as starting points of zero for musical performances) negatively impacts the accuracy of the response, limiting it to a Band 5.5.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The response is organised into four paragraphs, including an introduction, an overall statement, and two body paragraphs detailing the trends. Cohesive devices such as 'Overall', 'In 2000', 'Moreover', and 'In contrast' are employed to structure the text. However, referencing and progression are sometimes confusing, particularly in the third paragraph where multiple activities and years are lumped together in a somewhat disjointed manner. Paragraphing is present and appropriate for a task 1 response, giving the overall arrangement an acceptable flow, though the internal cohesion within paragraphs could be tighter and more logically sequenced.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for the task, successfully using terms such as 'illustrates', 'participants', 'fluctuations', 'declined dramatically', and 'climbed steadily'. Attempts are made to use less common vocabulary, though there are some inaccuracies in word choice and data reporting. For instance, stating that musical performance 'fell steadily over one and a half decades from 17 in 2005 to about 18 in 2020' shows a mismatch in lexical collocation and factual logic. Nevertheless, the vocabulary is sufficient to convey the general message without impeding overall communication, placing it solidly in the band 6 category.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5
The student employs a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as introductory subordinate clauses ('While the number of participants in table tennis rose steadily...'). There is a reasonable variety of tense usage covering the past years. However, several grammatical errors and awkward phrasings occur, such as 'went from about 17 to approximately 55 in 2020' (imprecise prepositional phrasing) and issues with time periods ('over one and a half decades from 17 in 2005 to about 18 in 2020'). Despite these errors, the structures do not impede the reader's understanding, allowing the response to achieve a Band 6.0 for grammar.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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