Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-11
IELTS Writing Task 1 question
The charts below give information on the location and types of dance classes young people in a town in Australia are currently attending.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Student answer (Band 5.5)
The illustration gives information about different types of dance classes and their venue in a town of Australia.
Overall, majority of 11plus age group participated in Modern class while around 600 - 700 students who are under 11 participated in Ballet class.
It is quite evident from the pie chart that there are four venues. The percentage of private studios is around 48 percent. In contrast, remaining 52 percent is divided into three venues (community halls, school halls, and college-based studios). The maximum place covered by school halls after the school while the minimum space covered by college-based halls which is around10 percent.
Meanwhile, there are three categories of dance classes. The maximum number of participants who are of 11-16 participated in Modern dance class, whose proportion is around 500. As compared to age group of under 11 they participated in Ballet class.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which significantly impacts the score. While you have identified some main features, the analysis is underdeveloped. You mention the pie chart and bar chart data, but the reporting is fragmented and lacks a clear comparison between the two datasets. For instance, you state 'around 600 - 700 students' for Ballet, but the data interpretation is imprecise. Furthermore, the summary of the bar chart is confusing, particularly the reference to '500' participants, which does not clearly align with the visual data provided. To improve, ensure you cover all parts of the prompt with sufficient detail and meet the length requirement.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into three short paragraphs, which provides a basic structure. However, the logical progression is weak. The transition between the pie chart description and the bar chart description is abrupt. Cohesive devices are limited and sometimes used incorrectly, such as 'Meanwhile' to introduce the second chart, which does not effectively signal a shift in topic. Referencing is also occasionally unclear, making it difficult for the reader to follow the relationship between the age groups and the dance categories. Improving the use of linking words and ensuring each paragraph has a clear focus would enhance the flow.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks the range and precision expected at higher bands. You rely on basic descriptors like 'maximum' and 'minimum' repeatedly. There are also some awkward collocations, such as 'maximum place covered by school halls' and 'minimum space covered by college-based halls', which do not accurately describe the data. To reach a higher band, you should incorporate more precise terminology related to data reporting, such as 'account for', 'represent', 'the majority of', or 'a significant proportion'. Expanding your vocabulary to include more varied ways to describe trends and proportions will improve your score.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and some attempted complex structures. However, there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. For example, 'majority of 11plus age group' lacks an article, and 'As compared to age group of under 11 they participated in Ballet class' is a poorly constructed sentence. There are also punctuation and spacing issues, such as 'around10 percent'. While the meaning is generally understandable, the frequency of these errors limits the score. Focusing on subject-verb agreement, correct article usage, and sentence structure will help you demonstrate better control over your writing.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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