Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-17

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 charts illustrate information about the types and location of dance classes that the young generation are attending in one town of Australia.

Overall, private studios account for the largest proportion among all the locations where college-based studios recorded the least. Furthermore, the majority of young people under 11 participated in ballet dance.

Private studios constitute nearly half the population, which is 48 percent, whereas college-based studios constitute only 10 percent. School halls and community halls recorded 24 percent and 18 percent, respectively.

Regarding the types of dance classes, around 600 young people under 11 participated, and only around 300 in modern dance classes. By contrast, the majority of young people aged 11-16 were involved in modern dance, which was around 540. Approximately 310 people from both groups joined ballet and modern dance. The number of children under 11 attending tap dance is slightly greater than the corresponding age 11-16.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main features of the charts, including locations and dance types. However, the analysis is somewhat inconsistent. While you correctly identify the highest and lowest locations, the section on dance types is confusing. You mention 'around 600 young people under 11' without clarifying if this is a total or a specific category, and the comparison between age groups is difficult to follow due to unclear data reporting. To reach a higher band, ensure that all figures are clearly linked to their respective categories and that comparisons are made more explicitly, rather than just listing numbers.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, with an introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs. Cohesive devices such as 'Overall', 'Furthermore', 'whereas', and 'By contrast' are used to link ideas. However, the progression within the second body paragraph is slightly disjointed. The transition between discussing locations and dance types is abrupt, and the final sentence regarding tap dance lacks a clear connection to the previous data points. Improving the flow between sentences would enhance the overall coherence.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'account for', 'proportion', 'constitute', and 'participated'. There are no significant spelling errors, and the vocabulary is generally appropriate for a report. However, the range is somewhat limited; you rely on basic descriptors and repetitive sentence structures. To improve, try to incorporate more precise reporting verbs or nouns, such as 'predominate', 'marginal', or 'a significant minority', to add variety and sophistication to your writing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are some grammatical inaccuracies, such as 'the corresponding age 11-16', which is awkward phrasing, and 'the young generation are attending', where 'is' would be more appropriate for the collective noun. While these errors do not impede communication, they indicate a need for more careful proofreading. The use of punctuation is generally correct, but the variety of complex structures is limited, which prevents the essay from reaching a higher band score.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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