Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-19
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 and bar chart illustrate the proportions of several locations and types of dance classes that young people in an Australian town are attending.
Overall, private studios account for the highest figure, while colledge-based studios are the least used location for dance classes. The highest percentage of people under 11 and aged 11-16 are attending ballet and modern dance classes, respectively.
Almost half of the proportion of people are going to private studios, compared with 24% and 18% of people attending their dance classes at school halls which are employed after-school and community halls and other, respectively. By contrast, college-based studios are the least attended venue for dance classes as it comprises of only 10% of the population.
The line graph demonstrates over 500 students aged under 11 are taking modern classes. In a stark contrast, just 300 pupils aged 11 to 16 recorded attending modern dance classes. Tap is a type of dance that is being attended by over 400 students who are under 11 and approximately 450 students who are aged 11-16. Meanwhile, ballet is a dance category that depicts a considerable numerical difference in the students age because 600 people aged 11 to 16 and 300 under 11 are attending it.
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 covers all parts of the prompt, successfully reporting the main features of both the pie chart and the bar chart, as well as making appropriate comparisons. The overview captures the highest location category and contrasts age-group preferences. However, there is a notable factual error in the final paragraph regarding the bar chart data: the student states that "over 500 students aged under 11 are taking modern classes" and that "600 people aged 11 to 16 and 300 under 11 are attending [ballet]", whereas the chart actually shows around 600 under-11s in ballet and 520 aged 11-16 in modern. This misreading of the data prevents a higher score.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is organized into logical paragraphs, beginning with an introduction, followed by an overview, a body paragraph on locations, and a final body paragraph on dance types. Cohesive devices are used reasonably well, such as "Overall", "By contrast", and "Meanwhile". Paragraphing is appropriate, and referencing is mostly clear. However, some connections are slightly mechanical or strained, and the mix-up in the final paragraph affects the overall clarity of progression and logical development.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully using terms like "proportions", "account for", "comprises", and "numerical difference". There is one notable spelling error ("colledge-based") and some awkward phrasing such as "Almost half of the proportion of people". Less common vocabulary is attempted with mixed success, but meaning remains generally clear throughout, placing the response solidly in the Band 6 territory.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The writer attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence forms with relative success. Examples include subordinate clauses like "compared with 24% and 18% of people attending their dance classes at school halls which are employed after-school...". There are some grammatical slips and awkward structures, such as "as it comprises of only 10%" (unnecessary preposition) and confusing subject-verb agreements or modifiers in long sentences, but these errors rarely impede overall communication.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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