Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-20
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 illustrates the age of library members in 2016, total loans by category in 2016 and lastly the total number of loans in between 2007–2016.
Firstly, let's discuss the pie chart. We can clearly observe that the adult which aged between 18–64 were the largest group covering at 51%. The least aged members of the library were adults who were 65 or above. The children were quiet more than young adults. We can also see a Total loan by category table of 2016. In 2016 children's fiction and Adult fiction were at the same loan percent at 38%.
The three categories with the lowest loan were Children's DVD with 1%, Young adult with 2% and lastly Adult audio book with 2% same as young adult. Thirdly we can see a graph with "Total numbers of loans in between 2007–2016".
In 2007 it had the lowest numbers of loans which were just above 15,000. However after 3 years in 2010 First time the number of loans reached 20,000. It didn't went down from 20,000 till 2013. In 2013 the number decreased by 1 or 2 thousands. And in 2016 this year was the highest recorded year.
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
You have successfully identified the main features of all three charts, including the age demographics, loan categories, and the ten-year trend. However, the response lacks a clear overview or summary statement that synthesizes the data. For instance, you describe each chart in isolation rather than highlighting the most significant trends or making meaningful comparisons between the datasets. While you mention that 2016 was the highest recorded year for loans, you could improve by explicitly contrasting the growth in loans with the specific age groups or categories that likely drove this increase. The analysis is generally accurate, but it remains descriptive rather than analytical.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is organized into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and repetitive, such as the frequent use of 'Firstly', 'Secondly', and 'Thirdly'. The transition between the description of the pie chart and the table is abrupt. Additionally, some referencing is unclear; for example, 'the least aged members' is an awkward phrasing that makes the comparison difficult to follow. To reach a higher band, you should aim for a wider variety of linking words and ensure that the progression of ideas between sentences is smoother and more logical.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
Your vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, but it lacks the precision and variety required for a higher band. You rely on basic descriptors like 'largest group' and 'lowest numbers'. There are also some inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'the least aged members' instead of 'the smallest age group' or 'the youngest demographic'. Phrases like 'quiet more than' (likely a misspelling of 'quite') and 'at the same loan percent' are slightly unnatural. To improve, focus on using more precise terminology related to data reporting, such as 'accounted for', 'constituted', or 'fluctuated'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
There are several grammatical errors that occasionally impede the flow of the text. You have issues with subject-verb agreement, such as 'The charts illustrates' and 'the adult which aged'. Tense usage is also inconsistent; for example, 'It didn't went down' is incorrect (it should be 'it didn't go down'). While you attempt some complex sentence structures, they are often marred by these errors. You should focus on mastering basic subject-verb agreement and ensuring that past tense forms are used consistently when describing historical data from 2007–2016.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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