Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · IELTS Summit Mastery · 2026-09-15

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

The graph below shows the perceived danger and actual likelihood of being a victim of crime.

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

Perceived and actual likelihood of being a victim of crime: by crime type

Student answer (Band 5.5)

THE GRAPH CHART ILLUSTRATES INFORMATION ABOUT THE PERCEIVED DANGER AND ACTUAL LIKELIHOOD OF BEING A VICTIM OF CRIME.

BY HAVING A CURSORY GLANCE , IT IS VIVID THAT, IN BURGLARY CRIME ABOUT 15% WAS PERCEIVED IN BETWEEN 2009 AND 2010. MOREOVER, ACTUAL VICTIM WAS 2.5% AND THE PERCEIVED WAS 13% IN 2010 AND 2011. WHEREAS, ACTUAL WAS AGAIN 2.5% . FURTHERMORE, IN CAR CRIME THE PERCEIVED VICTIM WAS NEARLY 21% IN 2009 TO 2010. HOWEVER , THE ACTUAL VICTIM WAS 4%.

MOVING FURTHER AHEAD, IT IS LUCID THAT, IN 2010 AND 2011 THE PERCEIVED VICTIM WAS 17% AND THE ACTUAL VICTIM WAS SAME. ADDITIONALLY, IN VIOLENT CRIME , THE PERCEIVED VICTIMS WERE 15% IN 2009 TO 2010 AND THE ACTUAL WAS NEALY 2.5% TILL 2011 WHEREAS, IN 2010 AND 2011 THE PERCEIVED VICTIMS WAS 13% .

BY GIVING A GENERAL OVERVIEW , MAXIMUM VICTIMS WERE PERCEIVED IN THE GIVEN TIME PERIOD HOWEVER THE ACTUAL VICTIMS WERE NEALY SAME.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The student covers the main features of the graph by reporting data for burglary, car crime, and violent crime across the specified years, distinguishing between perceived and actual likelihood. An overview is attempted at the end ('maximum victims were perceived... however the actual victims were nealy same'), which captures the overarching trend. However, the data presentation lacks precise comparison structure, and writing entirely in capital letters detracts from the professional execution. Furthermore, some data points are slightly imprecise, such as grouping 2009-2010 incorrectly as a single timeframe for specific data markers. Nonetheless, all parts of the task are addressed, earning a Band 6.0.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is organised into multiple paragraphs, including an introduction, body details, and a concluding overview. However, the progression is somewhat mechanical and disjointed due to heavy reliance on awkward transitional phrases like 'BY HAVING A CURSORY GLANCE' and 'MOVING FURTHER AHEAD'. Referencing and cohesive devices are sometimes misused or overly rigid, affecting the overall flow of information between sentences. Paragraphing is present, but internal cohesion requires better linking to achieve higher band levels. This aligns with the descriptors for Band 5.5.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary used is generally adequate for the task, incorporating terms like 'perceived danger', 'likelihood', and crime types such as 'burglary' and 'violent crime'. However, the range is somewhat limited, and there are noticeable vocabulary and spelling inaccuracies, such as 'NEALY' instead of 'nearly'. The student attempts some less common phrasing, but word choices often feel unnatural or repetitive. Spelling and lexical errors do not completely impede communication, placing this response firmly at Band 5.5.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response employs a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as introductory prepositional clauses ('WHEREFORE, ACTUAL WAS AGAIN...'). However, the text is written entirely in uppercase letters, which is inappropriate for formal academic writing and counts as a persistent formatting/mechanic error. There are frequent grammatical slips and awkward phrasings, such as missing subject nouns in clauses ('the actual was same') and incorrect preposition usage. While communication remains understandable, the grammatical control is limited, corresponding to a Band 5.5.

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.