Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · IELTS Momentum Workout · 2026-09-24

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

The line graph below shows past and current overweight rates, as well as a projected future overweight rate in nine selected countries.

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

Past and projected future overweight rates in selected OECD countries

Student answer (Band 5.5)

The line graph illustrates past and projected future overweight rates in selected OECD countries, namely the USA, England, Canada, Spain, Austria, Australia, Italy, France, and Korea, between 1970 and 2020. These figures are measured in percentages. Overall, the USA recorded the highest figures, while Korea had the lowest figures.

Looking first at the USA, the figure stood at 45% in 1970 and significantly increased to 74% in 2020. Similarly, England experienced a rise, from 48% to 70% over the same time period. Although the figures for both countries increased. Canada was at 50% in the mid of 1990 and 2000 and rose to 55% in 2020. Meanwhile,Spain accounted for 41% in the mid's of 1980 and 1990 and increased to 55% in 2020.

Turning to remaining countries, Austria went up from 39% to 48% from 1980 to 2020. imilarly, Australia experienced a significant rise, from approximately 33% to 64% over the period. France also showed an increase, from around 31% to 44% during the same period. Finally, Korea recorded the lowest figures, rising from approximately 25% to 35% over the period.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The student provides a good overview of the main trends shown in the graph, noting that the USA recorded the highest figures while Korea had the lowest. Key data points and comparisons are reported across most countries, such as the rise in the USA from 45% to 74% and Australia from approximately 33% to 64%. However, there are some minor data inaccuracies and awkward time references, such as stating England rose from 48% (actual start was 1991 at 47%) and vague expressions like "in the mid of 1990 and 2000". Despite these minor issues, all parts of the task are addressed adequately with relevant details selected from the graph.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response is logically organized with a clear overall progression. The essay is divided into an introduction, body paragraphs grouping specific countries, and an overarching summary in the first paragraph. Cohesive devices are used adequately, such as "Looking first at", "Similarly", and "Turning to remaining countries". However, paragraphing and referencing are slightly flawed by a fragment sentence ("Although the figures for both countries increased. Canada was at...") which disrupts the flow and cohesion of the second body paragraph.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully incorporating terms like "illustrates", "projected", "significantly increased", and "accounted for". Less common vocabulary is attempted, though with some minor inaccuracies and awkward phrasings such as "in the mid of 1990 and 2000" and "in the mid's of 1980 and 1990". Spelling and word choice are generally clear and do not impede communication, allowing the reader to follow the descriptions easily.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The writer uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, including subordinate clauses and comparative structures. There are several grammatical errors and punctuation slips, most notably a sentence fragment ("Although the figures for both countries increased. Canada was at...") and minor prepositional issues like "in the remaining countries" instead of "to the remaining countries". Nevertheless, the majority of simple sentences are error-free, and complex structures are attempted with varying degrees of success.

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