Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-09-27

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 demostartes a survey that is conducted from five different small companies of Britain by a national newspaper to reach out which company is best to work for.

Overall, in survey the highest staff members were noticed in 5th company. Whereas the ratio of female staff members in 1st, 2nd and 4th company is more than ratio of male staff. Meanwhile, all companies have highest proprotion of staff member aged under 35.

The survey shows 190 staff memebers in fifth company which was highest in all, almost similar figures of staff members were noticed by 2nd, 3rd, and 4th company standing at 79, 72 and ,76 respectively. The highest ratio of 87 female staff is noticed by 4th company, showing the lowest male staff standing at only 13 ratio. Meanwhile, the ratio of 3rd company was 74:26 consisting of highest male staff. Whereas 2nd and 3rd company shows similar ratio of female and male staff standing at 47:53 and 51:49.

The employees were mostly under 35 ranging betwen 26% to 93%, whilst employes above 55 are almost negligible in 1st, 3rd and, 5th company. The highest propotion of 8% was contributed by 4th company. The highest turnover of 33% was seen by 5th company, while the 1st company only faces 5%of staff turnover. In third company 74% of staff membber were in high income bracket, whereas 4th and 5 th compnay comprises of only 5% and 2% highly paid staff memebrs.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

The student successfully identifies and reports the main features of the table, covering staff numbers, gender ratios, age brackets, staff turnover, and income levels across the five companies. An overview is provided in the second paragraph, capturing key highlights such as the largest staff number in the 5th company and the predominance of younger workers. However, there are some minor data inaccuracies and over-generalisations, such as misinterpreting the gender ratio percentages and totals (e.g., stating '87 female staff' instead of an 87% proportion for the 4th company). The response covers all parts of the task adequately, meeting the requirements for a Band 6.0.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response is organized into logical paragraphs, starting with an introduction and overview, followed by body paragraphs detailing the specific data points. Cohesive devices such as 'whereas', 'meanwhile', 'whilst', and 'while' are used to connect ideas and make comparisons, though referencing is sometimes slightly mechanical or imprecise. Paragraphing is used appropriately to group related information, such as grouping staff numbers and gender ratios together, and age brackets and turnover in the final paragraph. Progression is generally clear throughout, supporting a Band 6.0 score.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully using terms like 'proportion', 'turnover', 'income bracket', and 'survey'. However, there are notable spelling errors ('demostartes', 'memebers', 'compnay', 'propotion') and occasional awkward word choices or collocations ('faces 5%of staff turnover'). While less common vocabulary is attempted, inaccuracies in spelling and word form prevent the response from reaching a higher band. The lexical range is sufficient to communicate meaning clearly, aligning with Band 6.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, using relative clauses and subordinate clauses (e.g., 'which was highest in all', 'whereas 4th and 5 th compnay comprises of only 5%'). There are several grammatical errors and punctuation slips throughout the text, such as subject-verb agreement issues ('compnay comprises', 'employes above 55 are almost negligible... The highest propotion of 8% was contributed'), missing articles, and comma splices or misplaced commas. Despite these errors, the meaning is generally clear and communication is rarely impeded, justifying a Band 6.0.

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