Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · IELTS Academic Practice Accelerator · 2026-11-04

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 compares the number of people with different ages who spent their time using the internet in Europe.

Overall, male and female aged 16-20 spent the highest amount time on the internet, while the amount of time spent on the internet was the lowest for male and female aged 51+.

In terms of spending time on the internet, the lowest amount of time was spent on the internet by male and female aged 51+, spending 2 and 3 hours, respectively. Male and female aged 26-30 spent only 4 hours each and aged 31-50 used the internet for 3 and 4 hours, respectively.

On the other hand, male and female aged 16-20 used the internet for the highest amount of time, male was accounted for 19 hours and female was for 18 hours. Male aged 11 used the internet for 8 hours, while female spent 6 hours . 7 and 5 hours were spent by male and female respectively.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the main pattern accurately: the 16–20 group records the highest figures for both sexes, while the 51+ group has the lowest. You also report several values correctly, including 19 and 18 hours for ages 16–20 and 2 and 3 for the oldest group. However, coverage of the table is incomplete: the 21–25 figures (7 and 5) are left without an age label, and “Male aged 11” misrepresents the 11–15 category. The overview could also compare the sexes more clearly, noting that males record higher figures in the younger groups, the values are equal at 26–30, and females are slightly higher in the older groups. These omissions and unclear details limit how fully the key information is reported.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, an overview and two detail paragraphs. The contrast marker “On the other hand” helps signal a shift to the highest figures, and the information is broadly grouped by age. However, progression is weakened by repeated wording such as “spent time on the internet” and “the lowest amount of time,” which makes the account feel repetitive rather than efficiently organised. The final paragraph also moves from ages 16–20 to 11–15 and then gives “7 and 5 hours” without identifying the 21–25 group, so the reference is unclear. Use a consistent age-by-age sequence and link each pair of figures directly to its category.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant vocabulary for describing the table, including “highest,” “lowest,” “respectively” and “compares,” so the reader can understand the general subject and trends. However, the range is limited and several phrases are repeated, especially “spent time on the internet” and “amount of time.” Some collocations are awkward: “spent their time using the internet” is less natural than “spent online,” while “male was accounted for 19 hours” does not express the figure accurately or idiomatically. More precise terms such as “average hours,” “recorded” and “the figure for” would help you describe the data concisely. Also name age bands consistently rather than referring to “male aged 11,” which is imprecise.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple sentences and more developed comparisons, and the overall meaning is generally understandable. However, errors in sentence construction and agreement recur. In “male and female aged 16-20 spent the highest amount time,” the plural subjects need a clearer construction, and “amount time” is missing a grammatical link. “Male was accounted for 19 hours and female was for 18 hours” is also faulty, while “Male aged 11 used the internet” does not accurately form the age-group reference. There are some effective structures, such as “while the amount … was the lowest,” but the response relies heavily on similar patterns. Practise accurate comparisons using “males spent…” and “the figure for females was…,” and check articles, plurals and sentence completeness.

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.