Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-11-10

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

The table below gives information about the five small companies in Britain that came top in a survey of staff conducted by a national newspaper to find out which companies are the best to work for.

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

THE FIVE BEST SMALL COMPANIES TO WORK FOR

Student answer (Band 5.5)

The table below illustrates top five companies in Britain according in a survey of stff compiled by a national newspaper to see which companies are best to work for. Positions in surveys were conducted through various factors such as: staff numbers, male:female ratio, age under 35s and over 55s, staff turnover and staff in high income bracket.

Overall, the 1st positioned company had the lowest staff turnover, and 5th positioned company had highest staff turnover. It is also seen that 5th positioned company had highest numbers of workers were under the age of 35 and there were no staff over the age of 55.

It is seen that the company that came 1st had 56 staff with a male female ratio of 30:70. They had 77% workers under the age of 35 and no worker above 55 years. Staff turnover was lowest, 5% and staff in high income bracket was 34%. The company that came 2nd had more staff, 79 workers with a more male predominant (m:f = 47:53) . People under the age 35 were 59% and onle 1% above the age 55. Staff turnover was highers than the first company, 18% and staff in high income bracket 34%.

Companies that came 3rd and 4t 82% workersh had staff members of 72 (m:f=74:26) and 76 (m:f=13:87) respectedly. 4th company had most female workers. 3rd company had 82% workers under 35 and 4th one had 26% under 35. 3rd company had no worker above 55 and 4th had 8%, which was highest among all companies. Staff turnover was 8% in 3rd company and 13% in 4th. Staff in high income bracket 74% in 3rd and onlyb5% in 4th company. Lastly the 5th company had highest number of staff, 190. male female ration (51:49) under 35 worker were 9

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the table’s subject and provide a general overview, correctly noting that the first-ranked company has the lowest turnover and the fifth has the highest. You also report several relevant comparisons, including the fourth company’s 8% share of staff over 55 and the third company’s high-income figure of 74%. However, coverage is incomplete: the response ends while describing the fifth company, so its age and income figures and the 33% turnover are not reported. There is also a factual error: the second company’s high-income figure is 48%, not 34%. The overview’s claim that the fifth company has the most under-35s is accurate, but it would be stronger if it highlighted the contrast in income levels across the rankings.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure, moving from an introduction and overview to details about the companies, and the ranking provides a useful organising principle. Paragraphing generally separates the main stages of the report. However, progression becomes difficult to follow in the third body paragraph: “Companies that came 3rd and 4t 82% workersh…” appears to combine figures and ideas without a clear sentence structure. Some links are repetitive, particularly the repeated use of “The company that came…” and “It is seen.” The final sentence is also unfinished, leaving the fifth company’s description incomplete. Use clearer topic sentences and connect comparisons directly, rather than listing each company in the same pattern.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant vocabulary for describing the table, including “staff turnover,” “high income bracket,” “male:female ratio,” and “under the age of 35.” These terms help communicate the subject, and phrases such as “lowest” and “highest” are appropriate for comparisons. However, word choice and collocation are often awkward or imprecise: “more male predominant” and “positions in surveys were conducted through various factors” do not express the intended meaning naturally. There are also noticeable spelling and word-form errors, including “stff,” “onle,” “respectedly,” and “ration.” Aim for concise, standard reporting language, such as “ranked first,” “had a higher proportion of women,” and “the figures show.” Proofreading would also improve accuracy.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more extended sentences, and some basic statements are understandable, such as “Staff turnover was 5%.” However, grammatical control is inconsistent, and errors in sentence construction sometimes make the information hard to interpret. For example, “the company that came 1st had 56 staff with a male female ratio of 30:70” needs clearer article and noun phrasing, while “Companies that came 3rd and 4t 82% workersh had staff members…” is not a complete, well-formed sentence. The final sentence also stops before completing its clause. There are recurring problems with articles, agreement, and sentence boundaries. Build shorter, complete sentences first, then add complex structures only when their relationships are clear.

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