Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · 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 6.5)

The charts show information about the age of library members, the proportion of loans by various categories, and the total number of loans between 2007 and 2016 at a public library called Little Chalfont.

Overall, the members aged 18 to 64 have the highest proportion, standing at 51%. However, children's fiction and adult fiction have the highest proportions of loans, with both accounting for the same percentage. The total number of loans was the highest in 2016, compared with all the other years.

In 2016, adult members aged 65 and over accounted for 12%, whereas the figure for young adults in the age group 13 to 17 was 15%. Children accounted for 22%, but the figure stood at 51% for adults aged 18 to 64, who had the highest proportion among all age groups. For loans, children's fiction and adult fiction were the highest categories, with both standing at 38% each. However, young adults and adult audiobooks accounted for the same proportion, at 2%. Other categories of loans included children's non-fiction at 6%, children's DVDs at 1%, and adult non-fiction at 13%.

In 2007, the number of loans was approximately 15,000, while the figure increased to around 19,000 in 2008. After that, the number remained almost the same in 2009 before rising to above 20,000 in 2010, 2011 and 2012. In 2013, the figure experienced a slight decline to just below 19,000, whereas it kept increasing in 2014, 2015 and 2016, reaching approximately 22,000.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response successfully addresses all parts of the prompt by summarising the main features of the charts and making relevant comparisons. In the overview, the student highlights key details such as the dominant age group (18 to 64) and the peak year for total loans (2016). Specific data points are accurately reported in the body paragraphs, distinguishing between the breakdown of library members and the loan categories by genre, as well as outlining the chronological trend of total loans from 2007 to 2016. The data is reported factually without personal opinion. However, some minor details from the charts are omitted or generalized, placing this securely at Band 7.0 for fully covering all parts with clear comparisons.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response is logically organised and easy to follow. The introduction clearly sets out what the three charts illustrate, followed by an overview paragraph that captures general trends. Body paragraphs are well-structured, separating the static chart data from the chronological time-series data about total loans. Cohesive devices such as 'whereas', 'after that', and 'however' are used effectively to guide the reader through comparisons and temporal sequences. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct aspects of the visual data. Although referencing and cohesion are clear, there is slight mechanical rigidity in paragraph transitions, keeping it at a solid Band 7.0 level.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The vocabulary used is generally adequate and appropriate for an Academic Task 1 response. The student successfully incorporates topic-specific vocabulary such as 'proportion', 'category', 'accounted for', and 'decline'. Less common lexical items and phrases like 'experienced a slight decline' and 'highest proportion among all age groups' demonstrate a sufficient range with some flexibility. There are minor instances of repetition regarding phrasing, but no major word choice or spelling errors impede communication. This performance aligns well with the Band 7.0 descriptor for possessing a sufficient range of vocabulary with some awareness of style and collocation.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The writer employs a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures, demonstrating control over grammatical forms. Examples of complex structures include subordinate clauses and participial modifications, such as 'whereas the figure for young adults in the age group 13 to 17 was 15%' and 'reaching approximately 22,000'. The majority of sentences are grammatically accurate, and punctuation is handled correctly throughout. While minor errors or slightly awkward phrasings occur occasionally, they do not impede communication. The control of grammar and punctuation, alongside frequent error-free sentences incorporating a variety of complex structures, warrants a Band 7.0 score.

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