Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-14
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 illustrate the information about a public library called Little Chalfont, including the age of library members, the proportion of loans by different categories and the total number of loans between 2007 and 2016.
Overall, the members aged 18-64 has the highest proportion, standing at 51%. However, the proportion of children's fiction and adult's fiction was by far the highest, featuring the same percetage, in the categories experiencing loan. The total number of loan was the highest in 2016 among all years.
In 2016, there were 12% adult members aged 65 and over, whereas the proportion was 15% for young adults in the age group 13-17. The percentage was 22% for children, but the figure stood at 51% for adults aged 18-64, featuring the highest proportion among all age groups. For loan, children's fiction and adult's fiction were the highest categories, experiencing the percentage at 38%. However, the proportion was same, at 2%, for young adults and adult audio books categories. Other categories of loan featured, 6% for children's non-fiction, 1% for children's DVDs and 13% for adult non-fiction.
In 2007, the total number of loans was approximately 15,000, while the figure surged to around 19,000 in 2008. Then, the number remained almost the same in 2009, before increasing to above 20,000 in 2010, 2011 and 2012. In 2013, the figure fell to around less than 19,000, whereas it kept increasing in 2014, 2015 and 2016, featuring at approximately 22,000.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0
The candidate successfully addresses all parts of the task by reporting on the main features of the charts regarding the public library in Little Chalfont. The response covers the age of library members, the proportion of loans by categories, and the trend in the total number of loans between 2007 and 2016. Key features are selected, such as the peak membership group being 18-64 at 51% and the high loan figures for children's and adult's fiction at 38%. Comparisons are made where relevant, and data is appropriately cited. However, there are minor confusions in reporting some of the percentage data for loan categories, but overall the task is well covered, aligning with the requirements for a Band 6.5 or 7.0 response.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is logically organised with a clear overall progression. It begins with a suitable introduction, followed by an overview paragraph, and then breaks down the specific details into separate body paragraphs addressing the different charts. Cohesive devices are used adequately, such as 'Overall', 'In 2016', and 'In 2007', though some referencing and transitional phrasing can feel slightly mechanical or repetitive ('the proportion was', 'for loan'). Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the overview and the detailed body points. This satisfies the criteria for Band 6.0.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for the task, incorporating terms like 'proportion', 'category', 'surged', and 'fluctuated'. There are some attempts at less common vocabulary, but these are occasionally accompanied by inaccuracies in word choice or phrasing, such as 'categories experiencing loan' instead of 'loan categories', and a spelling slip ('percetage'). Collocations are generally functional rather than sophisticated. However, the vocabulary is sufficient to convey the intended meaning without impeding the reader's understanding, earning a solid Band 6.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The candidate demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, utilising subordinate clauses effectively in sentences like 'In 2007, the total number of loans was approximately 15,000, while the figure surged to around 19,000 in 2008.' There are some grammatical errors and awkward phrasing present, such as subject-verb agreement issues ('the members aged 18-64 has the highest proportion', 'The total number of loan was the highest') and missing pluralisation ('number of loan'). Despite these errors, they rarely impede communication, allowing the response to secure a Band 6.0.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.