Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · IELTS Summit Mastery · 2026-10-14

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 5.0)

The bar graph illustrates the perceived and actual crime being in likelihood. the data is calibrated in percentage.

Overall, maximum crime was car crime whereas, minimum was burgalry.

To begin with, the perceived crime in 2009-10 of burglary was 15% while actual was only 3%. moving to car crime, it was stated that the crime was done around 21% while the actual was 4.5%. similar to violent crime, percentage of percieved and actual crime was 15% and 4% respectively.

Furthermore, in 2010-11, the perceived percentage of all crimes burglary, car and violent was 13%, 18% and 14% orderly. whereas actual was all below 5%.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the chart’s subject and make a relevant comparison between perceived and actual crime, including figures for all three crime types in both periods. However, the overview is too broad: “maximum crime was car crime” does not distinguish perceived likelihood from actual likelihood, and burglary is not consistently the lowest actual figure. Some details are inaccurate or unclear: for example, perceived car crime in 2010/11 is about 17%, not 18%, and the actual figures are not all simply “below 5%” when more precise comparisons are available. The response also falls 46 words short of the required minimum, leaving the main features underdeveloped. Add a clear overview of the large perception–reality gap and the slight year-to-year changes, then support it with accurate comparisons.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a basic sequence, moving from an overview to 2009/10 and then 2010/11, and phrases such as “To begin with” and “Furthermore” help signal this order. However, the progression is limited, and the final paragraph compresses several comparisons into one sentence rather than explaining them clearly. Linking is sometimes awkward or incomplete: “similar to violent crime” does not clearly connect the comparison, while “whereas actual was all below 5%” leaves the reader to infer the figures being discussed. Separate the overview from the detailed comparisons, group perceived and actual figures consistently, and use clear references such as “the corresponding actual rate” to make relationships easier to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant chart vocabulary, including “perceived,” “actual,” “percentage,” and “illustrates,” so the topic is generally recognisable. However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations make the meaning awkward, as in “perceived and actual crime being in likelihood” and “the crime was done around 21%.” Spelling errors such as “burgalry,” “percieved,” and “orderly” also reduce accuracy. Choose precise terms for what the percentages represent: people’s perceived likelihood and the actual likelihood or rate of victimisation. Avoid repeating “crime” where “figure,” “rate,” or “percentage” is more suitable, and check spelling carefully before submitting.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt some longer sentence patterns, including comparisons with “while” and “whereas,” but control is inconsistent and the response relies mainly on simple constructions. Errors in sentence boundaries and punctuation are noticeable: “moving to car crime” begins without a capital letter, and “Overall, maximum crime was car crime whereas, minimum was burgalry” has an awkward clause structure and misplaced comma. The final sentence, “whereas actual was all below 5%,” is also grammatically incomplete because the subject is unclear. Use complete sentences with an explicit subject, maintain consistent past-tense reporting, and punctuate contrast clauses carefully. These changes would make the comparisons easier to understand.

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

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