Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-08-11
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 given table tracks the information of five small companies in Britian that came top in a survey of staff which is directed by national newspaper.
Overall, the fifth company is best in all position aspect staff in high income bracket and male female ratio it is the lowest comapmy in this position. In contrast first company was lowest in all positions.
To begin with the table given information about five best companies . Firstly staff number position in company highest in fifth company with 190 and lowest in first with 56. Moreover, in male and female ratio in third company supreme with ratio 74-26 Whereas,lowermost ratio in forth company 13-87. Furthertmore, under 35/over 55 minimal percantage in forth company and topmost in fifth comapny with 26%/8% and 93%/0%.
However, the percentage of staff turnover maximum in fifth company with 33% and minimum in first at 5%. Whereas, staff in high income bracket least in fifth company with 2% and greatest in third with 74%.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main features of the table, such as staff numbers, ratios, and turnover. However, the analysis is somewhat mechanical and lacks a clear, cohesive overview. While you identify some extremes, the comparison between companies is often confusing due to grammatical errors and unclear phrasing (e.g., 'fifth company is best in all position aspect'). The data selection is relevant, but the presentation is fragmented, making it difficult for the reader to follow the trends across the five companies. To improve, focus on grouping data logically rather than listing figures for each company in isolation.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into paragraphs, but the logical flow is hindered by awkward transitions and repetitive sentence structures. While you use some cohesive devices like 'Moreover' and 'In contrast', they are often used incorrectly or in a way that does not clearly link the ideas. The referencing is sometimes unclear, such as when you mention 'first company' or 'fifth company' without providing enough context for the reader to follow the comparison. Improving the use of cohesive devices and ensuring that each paragraph has a clear, singular focus would significantly enhance the readability of your report.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks the precision required for a higher band. There are several instances of incorrect word choice, such as 'supreme' to describe a ratio, 'forth' instead of 'fourth', and 'comapmy' (spelling error). You rely on basic descriptors like 'best', 'lowest', and 'topmost', which limits the sophistication of your analysis. To achieve a higher score, try to incorporate more varied and precise terminology related to data reporting, such as 'proportion', 'fluctuation', 'predominant', or 'marginal'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede communication. There are issues with article usage ('the' is often missing), subject-verb agreement, and sentence construction (e.g., 'the table given information about five best companies'). Many sentences are fragmented or lack necessary prepositions. While you attempt some complex structures, they are often faulty, leading to confusion. Focus on mastering basic sentence patterns, ensuring correct verb forms, and proofreading for common errors like missing articles and incorrect word order before moving on to more complex grammatical structures.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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