Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-11-13

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 illustrates 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.

Overall, the highest number of staff members, under 35s/ over 55s employees and staff turnover company was 5th company. In contrast, the lowest staff numbers and staff turnover company was 1st company. A majority of male-femal ratio and staff in high income bracket had 3rd company.

Initially, 1st company shows the lowest staff numbers and staff turnover company. At the same time it had under 35s had 77% and over 55s had 0%. Although staff in high income bracket at 34%. Furthermore, 2nd and 3rd company had 7 staff numbers differences between them. Turning to the male-femal ratio, 2nd company femal ratio average higher than the male ratio average. In addition, 3rd company female ratio average lower than the male ratio average. Also, 2nd company shows under 35s at 59% and 3rd company had 82%. Whereas 2nd company over 55s worker at 1% and 3rd company at 0%. 2nd company staff turnover higher than the 3rd company turnover. Meanwhile, 2nd company staff in high income bracket percentage lower than the 3rd company staff in high income bracket percentage. Looking at the 4th and 5th companies, 4th company staff number lower than the 5th company staff. 4th company male ratio lower than the 5th compsny male ratio. In additon, 4th company female ratio higher than the 5th company female ratio. 4th company under 35s workers were lower than the 5th company under 35s workers. 4th comapny had 8% over 55s workers and 5th company hadn't over 55s workers. 5th company staff turnover was higher than the 4th company. 4th and 5th companies staff in high income bracket had 3% differences between them.

In summary, 1st, 3rd and 5th comanies han't over 55s workers. It shows high productivity. 3rd comapny was the satff in high income bracket company and it was the high top company in Britain.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify several relevant comparisons, including the first-ranked company’s low turnover and the third-ranked company’s high-income figure. However, the overview contains important inaccuracies: the fifth company has the most staff and the highest turnover, but not the highest proportion of under-35s; that is the third company at 82%, compared with 93% for fifth. The first company has the lowest staff count, but the fourth has the lowest turnover at 13%? In fact, the first is lowest at 5%, so this comparison is correct. The claim that the third company is the “high top company” is unclear and unsupported. Some figures are omitted or misreported, such as the 3% difference in high-income staff, which is actually 3 percentage points (5% versus 2%). Focus the overview on accurate standout features and report comparisons precisely.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has an overall structure, moving from an introduction and overview to comparisons among the companies, and phrases such as “In contrast,” “Furthermore,” and “Looking at” help signal relationships. This makes the main subject generally traceable. However, the progression is sometimes mechanical and the long middle paragraph groups many comparisons without clear prioritisation. Some links are confusing: “Although staff in high income bracket at 34%” is an incomplete thought, while “In summary” introduces a final claim that does not clearly follow from the preceding details. The repeated company-by-company pattern also makes the report feel list-like. Organise the body around key contrasts—for example, workforce profile and turnover/income—and use clear topic sentences and references to guide the reader.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some task-relevant vocabulary, including “staff turnover,” “high income bracket,” and “male-femal ratio,” so the topic is usually recognisable. However, the range is limited and several phrases are inaccurate or awkward, sometimes making the intended comparison difficult to understand. Examples include “a majority of male-femal ratio,” “female ratio average lower,” and “high top company.” There are also spelling errors such as “compsny,” “additon,” “comapny,” and “satff,” which reduce clarity and control. Use standard terms such as “male-to-female ratio,” “proportion,” and “ranked first,” and avoid describing the figures as “productivity,” since the table gives no productivity data. Proofreading spelling and collocations would make your comparisons more precise.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt some longer structures, including sentences beginning with “Although” and “Whereas,” and you use past-tense forms in parts of the report. However, many sentences have errors in sentence construction, agreement, or articles, and these can make relationships unclear. For example, “the highest number of staff members, under 35s/ over 55s employees and staff turnover company was 5th company” does not form a clear grammatical comparison. “2nd company staff turnover higher than the 3rd company turnover” is missing a verb, while “4th and 5th companies staff in high income bracket had 3% differences” has an unclear possessive and structure. Build complete sentences with a clear subject and verb, and check articles and plural forms. A wider range of accurately controlled sentence patterns is needed.

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.