Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-06
IELTS Writing Task 1 question
The charts below give information about a public library in a town called Little Chalfont.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Student answer (Band 5.5)
The charts give information about the Little Chalfont library including the age of library members, total loan by category in 2016 and the total number of loans between 2007 and 2016.
Overall, majority of the library members were adults of age 18-64 with the highest loan were for the adult and children fiction in 2016. The number of loans grew steadily with the lowest in 2007 while the highest number in 2016. Old adults were not very fond of library and children's DVDs had the least loans.
Adults had the highest proportion of 51% with most loans for adult fiction (38%), adult non-fiction(13%) and the least in adult audio books (only 2%). It is followed by children at 22% with the highest loans for children's fiction (38%), children's non-fiction (6%) and DVDs with only 1%. Young teenage adults were only 15% followed by old adults of 65 and above with 12% respectively. Young adults book loans were only 2%.
Looking at the number of loans now, it grew significantly from 16,000 in 2007 to 21,000 in 2011, then decreased gradually to 24,000 in 2013, while finally rose up to 22,000 in 2016.
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 response covers all parts of the task by summarizing the three charts provided. You successfully identify the main features, such as the dominant age group (adults) and the overall trend in library loans. However, there are significant inaccuracies in the data reporting. For instance, you state the number of loans 'decreased gradually to 24,000 in 2013, while finally rose up to 22,000 in 2016.' These figures are contradictory and do not accurately reflect the visual data provided. Additionally, the categorization of percentages is slightly confusing. To reach a higher band, ensure that data points are transcribed with absolute precision and that trends are described logically without internal contradictions.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, with an introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs focusing on different aspects of the data. Cohesive devices such as 'Overall,' 'Looking at the number of loans now,' and 'It is followed by' are used to guide the reader. However, the progression of ideas is occasionally hindered by awkward phrasing, such as 'Old adults were not very fond of library.' The referencing is generally clear, but the flow between sentences could be improved to ensure a more natural, academic tone. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the demographic data from the historical loan trends.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'proportion,' 'steadily,' and 'significantly.' However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'total loan by category' (should be 'total loans') and 'not very fond of library' (which is too informal for an Academic Task 1 report). The repetition of 'loans' and 'highest' suggests a limited range of synonyms. To improve, focus on using more precise academic vocabulary to describe trends and categories, and ensure that your word choices are appropriate for a formal report.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical errors, such as 'majority of the library members' (missing 'the'), 'highest loan were' (subject-verb agreement error), and '12% respectively' (used incorrectly as there is no preceding list of two items). Punctuation is generally acceptable, but the frequency of these minor errors prevents the response from reaching a higher band. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of articles would significantly enhance the accuracy of your writing.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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