Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-24
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 below provide information about a public library in a town called Little Chalfont. The pie chart illustrates the age of library members in 2016, while the table shows the total loans by category in 2016. The last is a bar chart showing the total number of loans from 2007 to 2016.
Overall, the pie chart shows that the biggest category of readers is adults and seniors, while the smallest category is adults aged 65 and over.
The table explains the different categories in the library, expressed in a percentage.
Children's fiction and adult fiction have the same percentage, but children's DVDs have the lowest percentage. The bar chart does not show significant changes; the number of loans is around 20000, while 2007 has the minimum number of loans.
Adults 65 and over and young adults from 13 to 17 years old are reading approximately the same number of books
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response addresses the task by summarizing the three charts, but it lacks the depth required for a higher band. While you identify some features, the analysis is superficial. For instance, you state the bar chart shows no significant changes, yet the data shows a clear fluctuation from 2007 to 2016. Furthermore, the comparison between age groups is inaccurate based on the provided data. To improve, you must provide more precise data points and ensure your comparisons are factually supported by the charts. The overview is present but lacks a clear synthesis of the trends.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the progression of ideas is somewhat mechanical. You use basic cohesive devices, but the transitions between the charts and the specific data points are abrupt. The final sentence is disconnected from the rest of the paragraph and lacks a clear link to the preceding information. To improve, focus on using a wider range of linking words and ensure that each paragraph has a clear topic sentence that guides the reader through the data analysis.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task but remains quite basic and repetitive. You rely on simple descriptors like 'biggest' and 'lowest'. There is little attempt to use more sophisticated or precise vocabulary related to data description, such as 'fluctuated', 'remained stable', or 'accounted for'. While the meaning is generally clear, the lack of variety in word choice limits the score. Incorporating more academic collocations and precise terminology for describing trends would significantly enhance the quality of your writing.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response uses a mix of simple and some complex sentence structures. While the grammar is generally understandable, there are some awkward phrasings, such as 'The last is a bar chart showing...' and 'the number of loans is around 20000, while 2007 has the minimum number of loans.' The latter is a run-on structure that lacks logical clarity. There are also minor punctuation and phrasing issues throughout. To reach a higher band, focus on increasing the variety of your sentence structures and ensuring that your complex sentences are grammatically accurate.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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