Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-09-05

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 tabular chart gives the information about the five small companies in England which are at their peak according to the survey in conducting employees by a national newspaper which highlights the best companies at their work. While the fifth company hires the maximum staff , the minimum ratio is in the high income bracket.

Interestingly, companies which are on the fifth rank illustrated a triple ratio in the staff conducting rather than the first company. whereas the rest of the companies showed similarity in the staff numbers. Moreover,33%of the staff turnover witnessed in the fifth company , 18% by the second company. Also, the third company illustrated the 74:26 ratio of the male and the female staff while the first company witnessed the half ratio.

In addition, there are 93%/0% and 82% /0% ratios accounted for in the employees who were under 35s/ over 55s by the fifth and the second company, respectively. Moreover, the minimum ratio of the staff in high income brackets showed in the fourth and the fifth company .

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response identifies some key features, such as staff numbers and ratios, but the analysis is inconsistent and lacks clarity. While you mention the fifth company's high staff count and turnover, the comparisons are often confusing, such as the phrase 'triple ratio in the staff conducting'. The data selection is somewhat disjointed, and the report fails to provide a clear overview of the trends across all five companies. To improve, ensure you group data logically (e.g., by category) and provide a clear summary of the most significant differences rather than listing isolated figures.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is organised into paragraphs, but the logical progression is weak. The use of cohesive devices is often mechanical or misused, such as 'Interestingly' and 'Moreover' appearing at the start of sentences that do not follow a clear argumentative flow. Referencing is sometimes unclear, making it difficult for the reader to follow which company or data point is being discussed. Improving the use of linking words and ensuring that each paragraph has a clear thematic focus would significantly enhance the readability and coherence of your report.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is somewhat limited and occasionally inaccurate. Phrases like 'staff conducting' and 'triple ratio' are not standard collocations in this context and impede the clarity of your report. You rely on basic descriptors and struggle to use precise terminology for data reporting (e.g., 'witnessed the half ratio'). To reach a higher band, focus on using more accurate terminology for describing trends, such as 'proportion', 'percentage', 'majority', and 'minority', and ensure that your word choices are appropriate for a formal report.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

There is a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but the accuracy is inconsistent. You frequently make errors with articles (e.g., 'the fifth rank'), prepositions, and sentence construction. For example, 'the minimum ratio of the staff in high income brackets showed in the fourth and the fifth company' is grammatically awkward and lacks a clear subject-verb relationship. While the meaning is generally understandable, the frequency of these errors prevents the writing from reaching a higher band. Focus on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of passive voice for data description.

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