Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-29
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 graph illustrates the information about the public library called Little Chalfont.
Overall, the total number of loans in 2007 was the lowest, while it was highest in 2016. The highest total loans by category are being held by children's fiction and adult fiction, while the lowest is being held by children's DVD.
The bar chart shows that in 2007, Little Chalfont Library had the lowest number of loans. Over the years, the number of loans followed an upward trend with fluctuations, and in 2016, the library had the highest number of loans.
In 2016, the highest total number of loans by category was children's fiction and adult fiction, while the lowest was children's DVD, young adults, and adult audiobooks. Children's non-fiction and adult non-fiction were 6% and 13%, respectively.
The maximum number of people who were between the ages of 18 and 64 were library members in 2016. Only 12 people were adults who were 65 or over. 22 were children among the members of the library, and 15 were young adults.
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 the charts, such as the overall upward trend in loans and the popularity of fiction categories. However, the response lacks precision in reporting data. For instance, you mention '6% and 13%' for non-fiction categories without specifying the year or context, and the final paragraph regarding library members is confusingly presented, as it lists raw numbers without clearly linking them to the provided chart data. To improve, ensure that every figure cited is clearly labelled with its corresponding category and year, and avoid vague statements like 'the highest total loans by category are being held by'. Focus on comparing the data points more explicitly.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into logical paragraphs, with an introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs. However, the flow between sentences is sometimes mechanical. For example, the transition between the general trend and the specific data in the third paragraph could be smoother. While you use some cohesive devices like 'Overall' and 'In 2016', the connection between the final paragraph and the rest of the report is weak, making the conclusion feel disconnected from the preceding analysis. Using a wider range of linking words and ensuring that each paragraph has a clear thematic focus would improve the overall coherence.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, but it lacks the precision required for a higher band. You rely on repetitive phrasing, such as 'highest number of loans' and 'lowest number of loans', which limits your lexical range. Phrases like 'are being held by' are slightly unnatural in this context. To achieve a higher score, try to incorporate more varied verbs and nouns related to data description, such as 'peaked', 'remained stable', 'accounted for', or 'constituted'. Using more sophisticated synonyms for 'highest' and 'lowest' would also demonstrate a better command of the language.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
You demonstrate a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, which is appropriate for this level. However, there are several grammatical inaccuracies. For example, 'The highest total loans by category are being held by' is awkward and grammatically imprecise. Additionally, the final paragraph contains some confusing phrasing, such as 'Only 12 people were adults who were 65 or over', which could be expressed more concisely. While these errors do not significantly impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. Focus on subject-verb agreement and ensuring that your sentence structures are not overly wordy.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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