Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-10-12

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 charts illustrate the age of Little Chalfont library members and total number of loans between 2007 and 2016, whereas, the table shows the percentage of total loans by each category in 2016.

Overall, the adult group age 18-64 had highest number of members of library in year 2016. In contrast lowest number of members were young adults of age 13-17 years. Children,s fiction and audit fiction categories had highest proportion of total loan in 2018, whereas, children's DVDs had lowest share. Total number of loans were increased during the period despite some fluctuations.

The age group 18-64 years called adults had highest number of library member accounting for 15 in 2016 as compared to children group which consist of 22 members. In contrast adults of age 65 years and over were lowest in number acconted for 12 members.

Children's fiction and Adult fiction categories comprising 38% each of total loans, in contrast to adult audio books and young adults categories, they acconted for 2% each. Children;s DVDs had lowest share at 1% of total loans.

Surprisingly, total number of loans increased from around 16000 in 2007 to around 21000 in 2011, after it declined to around 14000 in 2013. However, at the end of period it again reached to around 22000.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the main subjects and give an overview, noting that adults aged 18–64 form the largest membership group and that fiction accounts for the largest loan shares. However, several key figures are misreported: the 18–64 group is 51%, not 15, and the smallest membership group is those aged 65 and over (12%), not young adults (15%). You also refer to the table as showing 2018, although it covers 2016. The loans trend is broadly described, but the claim that loans fell to around 14,000 in 2013 is inaccurate; they remained close to 20,000. More accurate reporting and clearer selection of the main comparisons would make the summary more complete and reliable.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, and paragraphs covering membership and loan categories before the time trend. This helps the reader identify the different chart features. However, the progression within the overview is weakened by inaccurate comparisons, and the membership paragraph is difficult to follow because it says the 18–64 group had 15 members before comparing it with children at 22. Linking expressions such as “In contrast,” “whereas,” and “However” are used, but some are awkwardly placed or repeated, and the final paragraph’s “after it declined” does not clearly connect the stages of the trend. Grouping the information more clearly and using transitions to show precise comparisons would improve cohesion.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some relevant chart vocabulary, including “proportion,” “share,” “categories,” “fluctuations,” and “accounting for,” which helps communicate the subject. However, word choice and collocation are often inaccurate or repetitive: “number of members of library,” “highest proportion of total loan,” and “categories comprising 38%” are not natural formulations. There are also spelling and form errors, including “audit fiction,” “acconted,” and “Children;s,” which reduce precision. Aim for accurate, consistent terms such as “library members,” “share of total loans,” and “accounted for.” A broader set of correctly used verbs for describing changes would also help make the trend account more precise.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and more complex sentences, using structures such as “whereas” and “despite some fluctuations.” However, errors in agreement, articles, and sentence construction occur throughout and sometimes make comparisons unclear. For example, “The age group 18-64 years … had highest number of library member” needs an article and a plural noun, while “total number of loans were increased” has incorrect agreement and verb form. The sentence beginning “Children's fiction and Adult fiction categories comprising…” is also incomplete as written. Work on complete sentence structure, subject–verb agreement, and accurate past-tense forms; these corrections would make your meaning easier to follow.

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