Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · IELTS Summit Mastery · 2026-10-13

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 provided bar graph illustrates the perceived danger and actual likelihood of being a victim of crime by differeent crime types over the period of 2009 to 2011.

In general, car crime across the period accounted for highest percentage, while violent crime and burglary contributed for same proportion.

Looking at the chart in details, it is clear that in car type of crime perceived danger between 2009 and 2011 had the share of 21% and 17% respectively, whereas actual dangers followed the same trend of around 4.8%.

Comparatively, in violent crime perceived dangers between 2009 and 2011 constituted for 15% and 13% respectively and actual threat had the same rate of 3%. Furthermore, burglary time of crime had perceived hazards of approximately 15% and 12%, while actual threat stood at 4%.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the chart’s broad pattern: perceived risk is much higher than actual victimisation, and car crime has the highest perceived figures. However, the overview is imprecise: violent crime and burglary do not have the same perceived proportion in both years, and car crime is not highest for every series. Several figures are also inaccurate: actual burglary is about 2% and 2.5%, not 4%, while perceived burglary is about 15.5% and 13%, rather than 15% and 12%. The response contains 118 words, below the required 150, which limits the detail and comparisons provided. To improve, include a clearer overview and accurately compare both perceived and actual figures across the two years and crime types.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, a general statement and two paragraphs comparing crime types. Phrases such as “Looking at the chart” and “Comparatively” help signal movement between points. However, the progression is limited: the final paragraph groups violent crime and burglary together without clearly distinguishing their figures, and the overview does not set out the main contrast between perceived and actual likelihood. Some linking is also mechanical, particularly “Furthermore,” where the burglary figures are added without a clear comparison. Organise the body around a consistent comparison—perceived versus actual, then changes between years—and use linking expressions to show those relationships precisely.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant topic vocabulary, including “perceived danger,” “actual likelihood,” “percentage,” and “approximately,” so the reader can follow the subject. There is also some attempt to vary wording with “actual threat” and “perceived hazards.” However, several choices are inaccurate or unnatural for describing chart data: “contributed for same proportion,” “actual dangers followed the same trend,” and “burglary time of crime” are unclear or awkward. The spelling error “differeent” is noticeable, and repeated use of “crime” and “threat” limits precision. Choose standard chart language and use it consistently, such as “accounted for,” “stood at,” and “the actual rate.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a range of sentence forms, including a complex comparison with “whereas” and an introductory clause beginning “Looking at the chart.” Most sentences communicate the intended topic, but grammatical control is uneven. For example, “car crime … accounted for highest percentage” is missing an article, while “violent crime and burglary contributed for same proportion” has problems with both the verb pattern and article use. In “perceived dangers … constituted for 15%,” the verb construction is also faulty. The response relies mainly on similar comparison sentences, so the range remains limited. Practise accurate patterns such as “accounted for the highest percentage” and “stood at,” then check articles and verb-preposition combinations.

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.