Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-18
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 pie chart compares four different areas of dance classes, while, the bar chart compares different types of dance classes adolescents in Australia mostly participated in.
Overall, the usage of private studios is almost half of total contribution, showing the highest contribution,while college-based studios contributing the least.However, participation in ballet is most favourable in younger ones, In contrast to that, modern dances is famous in older students.
The private studios made up the lion's share of a total 48%. In addition, the usage of school halls is almost a half, standing at 24%. However, community halls and other together made up 18% of total proportion, whilst college-based studios contributing the least of 10%.
The children aged under 11 show the highest contribution hit a peak of above 600 students in ballet, at the same time children aged about 11-16 show the least contribution of less than 300 students, however, the reverse trend is experienced in children aged from 11 to 16, about more than 500 younger generation showing significant interest toward modern type of dances, whereas children aged under 11 stood at just 300 students. The participation in tap is almost similar for younger and older students standing at 470 and 420 respectively.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0
The student successfully identifies and reports the main features from both the pie chart and the bar chart, providing a clear overview. Key data points are cited accurately, such as private studios accounting for 48% and ballet peaking at over 600 students for the under-11 age group. Comparisons between categories and age groups are made effectively (e.g., contrasting modern dance preferences with ballet). While there are some minor inaccuracies in expression and slight misreadings of minor details, all parts of the prompt are addressed adequately, fulfilling the requirements for Band 6.5.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response has a clear overall progression and is divided into logical paragraphs, separating the overview, the pie chart details, and the bar chart information. Cohesive devices are used, such as 'Overall', 'In addition', 'However', and 'whereas'. However, some transitions are mechanically handled or slightly awkward, such as 'while, the bar chart compares' featuring incorrect comma placement. Referencing is occasionally confusing, as seen in phrases like 'the usage of school halls is almost a half', which lacks parallel logic to the pie chart breakdown. Overall organisation is coherent, supporting a Band 6.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The student attempts a range of vocabulary appropriate for Task 1, including terms like 'proportion', 'lion's share', and 'reverse trend'. There are, however, several awkward collocations and imprecise expressions, such as 'usage of private studios is almost half of total contribution' and 'modern dances is famous in older students'. Spelling is generally accurate, but word choice errors prevent the vocabulary from reaching a higher band level. This performance fits the Band 6 descriptor well.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The writer attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, incorporating clauses like 'while the bar chart compares' and 'whereas children aged under 11 stood at just 300 students'. However, control over complex structures is inconsistent, leading to run-on sentences, comma splices (e.g., 'younger ones, In contrast to that'), and awkward phrasing. Grammatical errors, such as 'college-based studios contributing the least' (participial phrase dangling or lacking a finite verb), occur frequently. Simple sentences tend to be more accurate, placing this response firmly at Band 5.5.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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