Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-25

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 on the location and types of dance classes young people in a town in Australia are currently attending.

Overall, private studios make up to 48 percent of the population whereas the college-based studios are makes up to 10 percent. School halls consist of 24 percent of young people and community halls and other covers the remaining 18 percent

The bar graph shows three different types of dance classes which are ballet, tap and modern. Juveniles under 11 years are attending ballet class which is the highest among all students. Around 600 students are attending the ballet class whereas approximately 450 students are attending tap class. Number of students in modern class is the lowest among people under 11 years old which is around 300.

Modern class in age group 11-16 soared dramatically to around 520 which is highest amongst this age group followed by the tap class which makes up around 430 students. Ballet class have least number of students of this age which is approximately 300.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

You have successfully identified the main features of the charts and provided relevant comparisons. You covered both the location data and the dance class types for both age groups. However, the response lacks a clear overview that synthesizes the information effectively. The first paragraph is a simple introduction, and the second paragraph focuses on location, which is a bit disjointed. To improve, ensure your overview highlights the most significant trends, such as the popularity of ballet for younger children versus modern dance for the older group. Additionally, ensure all data points are accurately described; for instance, stating that private studios 'make up to 48 percent of the population' is slightly inaccurate as it refers to the proportion of students, not the population.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organized into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the information. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and repetitive. For example, you frequently start sentences with 'Modern class' or 'Ballet class' without using varied transition words to link ideas between sentences. The progression of ideas is logical, but the connection between the location data and the dance type data is weak. Using more sophisticated linking phrases such as 'In contrast,' 'Furthermore,' or 'Regarding the age distribution' would improve the flow and coherence of your writing significantly.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You have a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey the main points, such as 'soared dramatically' and 'approximately'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation. For instance, 'Juveniles' is not the most natural term for children in this context; 'Youngsters' or 'Children' would be better. Additionally, phrases like 'makes up to 10 percent' are slightly awkward. You should aim to use more precise reporting verbs and nouns to describe the data, such as 'account for', 'represent', or 'the majority of'. Expanding your vocabulary to include more academic synonyms will help you reach a higher band.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

You demonstrate a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical errors that occur throughout the text. For example, 'the college-based studios are makes up to 10 percent' contains a verb error, and 'Ballet class have least number' lacks an article and correct subject-verb agreement. There are also issues with pluralization and article usage, such as 'Number of students in modern class'. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of articles. Proofreading for these minor slips will help ensure your writing is more accurate and professional.

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

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