Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-12

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 pie chart and bar chart illustrate the layout of a public library in a town called Little Chalfont. Overall, the pie chart demonstrates the age of library members in 2026, along with the total loans by category in 2026, whereas the bar chart gives information on the total number of loans during the years 2007 to 2016.

In the pie chart, library members were divided into four age groups included, children were 22%, young adults were 15%, adults were 51%, and those aged 65 years and over were 12%. The loan of children's fiction and adult fiction was noticeably 38%. Children's non-fiction loans accounted for 6%, children's DVDs made up 1%. Furthermore, young adult and adult audiobook loans represented 2%. Non-fiction adult loans recorded 13%.

Additionally, the bar chart shows the loans for each year. In 2016, a high number of loans, almost 22,000, was recorded, whereas a low amount was recorded in 2007, which was 15000. Mid-range numbers of loans were noticed in [redacted phone], around 21,000.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response successfully covers all parts of the visual data presented in the task. You provided an overview of the charts and selected key data points, such as the age distribution of members and loan figures across different categories and years. For instance, you accurately noted that members aged 65 and over were 12% and highlighted the loan figures for 2007 and 2016. However, there are some minor mechanical errors in how the data is grouped and reported, such as stating 'children were 22%, young adults were 15%, adults were 51%, and those aged 65 years and over were 12%', where you included the word 'included' unnecessarily. Despite minor descriptive flaws, the overall task is addressed well and the main features are clearly reported, aligning closely with a Band 6.5 or 7 descriptor.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay displays a coherent overall arrangement with a clear introduction and logical paragraphing. You separate the pie chart details from the bar chart data appropriately. Cohesive devices are used to guide the reader through the text, such as 'Overall', 'In the pie chart', and 'Additionally'. However, referencing and cohesion occasionally feel a bit mechanical, and some sentences lack seamless transitions, such as the abrupt shift between sentences in the second paragraph ('In the pie chart, library members were divided into four age groups included, children were 22%...'). Overall, the progression of ideas is fairly clear, which supports a solid Band 6.0 performance.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

Your vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, allowing you to discuss percentages, categories, and timeframes effectively. You successfully use words and phrases like 'demonstrates', 'category', 'accounted for', and 'noticeably'. However, your range of vocabulary is somewhat limited, and there are occasional awkward collocations or word choices, such as 'The loan of children's fiction and adult fiction was noticeably 38%', where 'loan' should be plural ('loans') and 'noticeably' is not the best descriptor. There are also slight repetitions of basic verbs like 'show', 'give', and 'record'. This reflects the characteristics of a Band 6.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as using relative clauses and contrasting conjunctions like 'whereas'. For example, the sentence 'In 2016, a high number of loans, almost 22,000, was recorded, whereas a low amount was recorded in 2007, which was 15000' demonstrates good grammatical ambition. However, there are several noticeable grammatical errors and awkward phrasings throughout the text, such as 'four age groups included, children were 22%' (a run-on/comma splice issue) and 'a low amount was recorded' (where 'number' would be more appropriate for countable items like loans). Because these errors do not impede overall communication, your grammar fits comfortably into Band 6.0.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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