Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-08-24
IELTS Writing Task 1 question
The charts below show the number of French adults whose parents spoke a French regional language to them when they were children and the number who speak a French regional language to their own children.
Write a report for a university lecturer describing the information below.
Number of adults (in thousands) whose parents spoke a regional language to them in childhood
Student answer (Band 5.5)
The charts compare the numbers of French adults who parents speak regional language to them as children and the numbers who now speak these language to their own children.
Overall, Occitan and Alsatian were the most common regional languages. However, Alsatian become the most widely spoken by next generation. Most languages less often spoken by parents to their children.
As children , around 600 thousand adults heard Occitan regularly and around 1 millions heard it occasionally. For Alsatian , the figure were about 400 thousands and 300 thousands respectively. Breton had lower number, While Creole and Corsican were least common.
Moving further, in their own children, around 400 thousand adults used Alsatian , making it most popular language. Occitan second around 250 thousand speaker. Breton and Creole and Corsican were less around 100 thousands or less.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which significantly impacts the task achievement score. While you have identified the main trends and provided some data points, the report is underdeveloped. You have not fully described the data, particularly the distinction between 'regular' and 'occasional' speakers in the second chart, which is necessary for a complete overview. The summary of the data is somewhat fragmented, and the failure to reach the word count means the task is only partially addressed. To improve, ensure you provide a more comprehensive breakdown of the figures and include a clear, detailed overview that synthesizes the information rather than just listing numbers.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into paragraphs, which is a positive step. However, the logical flow is hindered by the lack of cohesive devices. Transitions between sentences are often abrupt, such as 'Moving further, in their own children', which is not a standard academic phrase. The referencing is sometimes unclear, making it difficult for the reader to follow the comparison between the two charts. To improve, use a wider range of linking words (e.g., 'In contrast', 'Furthermore', 'Consequently') to connect your ideas more smoothly and ensure that each paragraph has a clear focus that contributes to the overall progression of the report.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks the precision and variety expected at higher bands. You rely on basic descriptors like 'most common' and 'lower number'. There are also several errors in word form and usage, such as 'Alsatian become' (should be 'became') and 'most popular language' (missing article 'the'). To achieve a higher score, try to incorporate more sophisticated vocabulary related to data description, such as 'predominant', 'a significant proportion', or 'witnessed a decline'. Additionally, ensure you use articles and plural forms correctly to avoid distracting the reader.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains a mix of simple and some attempted complex structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Examples include 'who parents speak' (should be 'whose parents spoke'), 'the figure were' (should be 'the figures were'), and 'less around 100 thousands' (should be 'around 100 thousand or less'). These errors are frequent and affect the overall accuracy of the text. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement, correct tense usage (past tense for the first chart, present for the second), and the accurate use of articles and pluralization. Proofreading for these basic errors is essential.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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