Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · IELTS Academic Practice Accelerator · 2026-08-03

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

The table gives information about the average hours spent on the Internet by European people of different age groups.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

Student answer (Band 5.5)

The table provides information about the average number of hours spent on the Internet by Europeans across different age groups.

In the 11–15 age group, males spent around 8 hours online, which was slightly higher than females at 6 hours. The 16–20 age group recorded the highest Internet usage, with men averaging 19 hours and women close behind at 18 hours. By contrast, individuals born between 2000 and 2004 showed less interest, with men spending 7 hours and women only 5 hours.

At the other end of the spectrum, the least active users were those aged 26 to 51 and above, who devoted just 4 hours for men and 3 hours for women.

Overall, Internet usage tends to decline steadily as age increases. The maximum time was invested by the 16–20 age group, while the lowest usage was observed among those aged 51 and above.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response covers the main features of the data and makes relevant comparisons between age groups and genders. However, the response is under the 150-word minimum requirement, which negatively impacts the task achievement score. While the overview is clear and the data is accurately reported, the analysis is somewhat brief. To improve, you should ensure you meet the minimum word count by providing slightly more detail or extending your analysis of the trends. The inclusion of the '2000-2004' group is slightly confusing as it is not an age range like the others, which suggests a slight misinterpretation of the data labels provided in the prompt.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The response is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a concluding overview. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate different age categories. Cohesive devices such as 'In the 11–15 age group', 'By contrast', and 'At the other end of the spectrum' are used effectively to guide the reader through the data. The progression of ideas is logical, moving from the youngest to the oldest groups. To reach a higher band, ensure that the transition between sentences is even more fluid and that the referencing remains precise throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the data, such as 'recorded', 'averaging', 'devoted', and 'decline steadily'. The language is generally accurate and appropriate for an academic report. However, the vocabulary is somewhat repetitive, and there is limited use of less common or sophisticated lexical items. To improve, try to incorporate more varied synonyms for 'spent' or 'usage' and use more precise collocations to describe the trends in the data, which would demonstrate a higher level of lexical control.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are clear and error-free, which allows for easy communication. There are no major grammatical errors that impede understanding. However, the range of complex structures is somewhat limited. To achieve a higher band, you should aim to incorporate a wider variety of grammatical forms, such as passive voice constructions or more complex subordinate clauses, while maintaining the high level of accuracy you have already demonstrated.

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