Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · IELTS Summit Mastery · 2026-09-26

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 illustrates the perceived danger and actual likelihood of being a victim of crime with types burglary, car crime, violent crime.

Overall, Car crime had the highest perceived and actual crime in both the years. Car crime and violent crime had difference in perceived by years but actual crime remained constant in both the years. Burglary had the lowest actual crime.

Burglary crime perceived 16% in 2009/10 but actual 2.5%, in 2010/11 it was perceived about 13% although actual approximately 3%. Car crime perceived 21% in 2009/10, in contrast actual 4%,17% was perceived in 2010/11, yet actual car crime was same as the previous year.

Violent crime perceived just over 15% in 2009/10, actual 3% , in 2010 it was perceived same as burglary crime at 13% yet actual it was same as the previous year.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

The student attempts to address the task by summarizing the main features of the graph regarding the perceived and actual likelihood of being a victim of crime. However, the response falls below the required 150-word minimum, containing only 137 words, which impacts the overall completeness of the task. While some key comparisons are made—such as identifying car crime as the highest and burglary as the lowest—certain figures are slightly inaccurate compared to the visual data (e.g., actual car crime in 2009/10 was around 4.5%, not 4%). Furthermore, the overview is somewhat simplistic. To achieve a higher band, the writer must meet the word count requirement and present a more fully developed, accurate summary of the data trends.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response is structured into an introduction, an overview, and separate body paragraphs for individual crime types, providing a logical framework. However, the cohesive devices used are basic and repetitive, such as starting multiple sentences with phrases like 'in contrast' or 'yet actual'. Paragraphing is attempted, but the grouping of ideas lacks smooth transitions. For instance, the transition between the general overview and the specific data points is abrupt. Referencing is occasionally unclear, which disrupts the flow of reading. To improve, the writer should use a wider variety of cohesive markers and ensure better logical progression between sentences.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

The student demonstrates an adequate vocabulary range to convey the basic data points, using terms such as 'perceived danger', 'actual likelihood', 'burglary', and 'violent crime'. However, there are noticeable limitations and inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'Burglary crime perceived 16%' instead of 'Burglary was perceived at 16%'. Less common vocabulary is attempted with limited success, and repetitive phrasing ('perceived', 'actual', 'crime') constrains the lexical range. Spelling and basic word formation are generally acceptable, but precision is lacking throughout the response.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The writer attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but control over grammar is inconsistent. There are frequent grammatical errors, particularly missing verbs and prepositions, as seen in sentences like 'Car crime perceived 21% in 2009/10, in contrast actual 4%' and 'actual 3% , in 2010 it was perceived same as burglary crime'. Punctuation is also faulty in places, with awkward comma splices and spacing issues. While some simple sentences are error-free, the frequent inaccuracies in complex formulations occasionally impede smooth communication.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

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