Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-02

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 chart provides data about a public library in a town called Little Chalfont

Overall, there were two categories of loans and one category of library members by age. The total number of loans was highest for children's fiction and lowest for children's DVDs. In addition, the overall number of loans was highest in 2016, while it was lowest in 2007. Regarding the age of library members, adults aged 18–64 accounted for the largest proportion, whereas those aged 65 and over represented the smallest proportion.

To begin with, the pie chart illustrates the proportion of ages of library members in 2016. While there were four categories. First category age of "Adults 18-64" was standing highest around 51%members, second category of "Adults 65 and over" was standing lowest almost 22%. While third category of "Young adult 13-17" was representing 15%. However, fourth group of "Children" was making up 22% members.

the table chart indicates the proportion of "Total loans by category in 2016", while there were seven groups. The biggest group of "Children's fiction" and "Adults fiction" which were accounting for each 38% total loans. In addition, "Young adults" and "Adult audio books" were both around 2%. Although, "Adults non-fiction" was stood up 13% and "Children's non-fiction" was around 6%. However, the smallest category of "Children's DVDs" was representing 1% of all loans.

In the third place, the bar chart given information about "Total number of loans between 2007 from 2016". At the beginning of 2007, it was reaching 15,000. After over the time period it was increasing gradually, reaching 20000 in 2011. From 2012 to 2015, the figure fluctuated slightly throughout the period. However, in 2016 all numbers of loans were peaking at 22000.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers all three charts provided. You successfully identified the main features, such as the peak in library loans in 2016 and the age distribution of members. However, the analysis is somewhat descriptive rather than analytical. For instance, you list the percentages for each category in the pie chart and table without making sufficient comparisons between them. To improve, focus on grouping data points to highlight trends or significant differences (e.g., noting that fiction loans dominate the library's circulation). While the overview is present, it could be more concise and integrated to better set the stage for the detailed body paragraphs.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, each focusing on a specific chart. However, the use of cohesive devices is often mechanical or repetitive. Phrases like 'To begin with', 'In addition', and 'In the third place' are used as rigid signposts. Furthermore, some sentences lack logical flow, such as the abrupt transition in the second paragraph: 'While there were four categories. First category age...'. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring that sentences within paragraphs flow smoothly into one another would significantly enhance the coherence of your writing.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'proportion', 'fluctuated', and 'accounted for'. However, there are several instances of awkward word choice and collocation errors, such as 'was standing highest', 'was stood up', and 'all numbers of loans were peaking'. These errors occasionally make the text sound unnatural. To reach a higher band, focus on using more precise academic collocations and avoid repeating the same sentence structures when describing data. Expanding your repertoire of verbs for describing trends (e.g., 'surpassed', 'remained stable') would also be beneficial.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are frequent grammatical errors, particularly with verb forms and articles (e.g., 'the table chart indicates', 'was stood up 13%', 'between 2007 from 2016'). Some sentences are fragmented or lack proper subject-verb agreement. To improve, pay closer attention to tense consistency—especially when describing past data—and ensure that your sentence structures are grammatically sound. Reducing these frequent minor errors will help you achieve a higher band score.

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