Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-25
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 data about a public library in a town Little Chalfont, including age of the members in 2016, total loans by categories and total number of loans from 2007 to 2016.
Overall, adults aged 18-64 covers the largest proportion in library,children and adult fiction are the highest borrowed people and the number of loan are increasing significantly in eight years.
Adults aged 18-64 cover the largest proportion 51% of the library, children are the second one's with 22%, young adults aged 13-17 with only 15%. Only adults aged 65 and over have the smallest portion which is only 12%.
Children and adullt fiction are highest members of the loans categories each include 38%. Children and adult non-fiction are subsequent which borrowed 13% and 6% separately. While children DVDs comes on least category with the amount only 1%.
In 2007 total number of loans are about 15,0000 which rose significantly till 2012, after that it showed slight decline in 2013. From 2014 to 2016 it reached to maximum limit of more than 20,000.
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
The candidate successfully addresses all three visual components presented in the prompt: the age distribution of library members in 2016, total loans by category, and the trend in total loans over the ten-year period from 2007 to 2016. An overview is provided in the second sentence, highlighting the main trends such as the dominance of adults aged 18-64 and the overall upward trend in borrowing figures. However, some data points are inaccurate or poorly expressed, such as claiming that 'children and adult fiction are the highest borrowed people' (which contains a logical and lexical slip). Furthermore, the statement that loans in 2007 were '15,0000' represents a minor numerical transcription slip. Nevertheless, the response covers all parts of the task and presents key comparisons adequately, aligning with the Band 6 descriptors.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The essay demonstrates a coherent overall arrangement and follows a logical structure by addressing each chart in turn. Paragraphing is attempted, though the division between paragraphs could be managed more effectively to separate distinct visual prompts. Cohesive devices are used, but sometimes in a repetitive or mechanical manner (e.g., repeatedly starting sentences with subject descriptions or transitional phrases like 'In 2007...' and 'From 2014...'). Referencing is occasionally unclear, such as 'children are the second one's', which disrupts smooth progression. Overall, the organizational structure is clear enough to earn a Band 6, though greater flexibility in cohesion and paragraphing would be required for a higher band.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully incorporating topic-specific terms such as 'proportion', 'category', 'fiction', and 'non-fiction'. However, there are noticeable lexical inaccuracies and awkward word choices throughout the text, such as 'covers the largest proportion in library', 'highest borrowed people', and 'least category'. Spelling is generally acceptable, but misuse of word forms and collocations limits precision. The vocabulary is sufficient to convey the intended meaning, satisfying the requirements for Band 6, but lacks the flexibility and natural control seen at higher levels.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5
The response features a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating some attempt at variety. However, grammatical errors and punctuation slips are frequent throughout the text. Examples include subject-verb agreement errors (e.g., 'adults aged 18-64 covers', 'total number of loans are'), incorrect prepositions, and awkward phrasing ('the number of loan are increasing'). While these errors do not severely impede overall communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent the response from achieving a Band 7. Control over complex structures remains inconsistent.
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.