Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-09-30

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 5.0)

The table provides information about a survey conducted by a national newspaper, which identified five small companies in Britain as one of the best company to work for.

The Britain five small companies showing huge up and downs in salaries, age and gender and many more. Turning to the table, The fifth company has a highest number of staff. Moreover, their ratio in gender either male or female was approximately same. But the main turnover their almost all staff was under 35s. While, the first company showes the lowers staff or their ratio was also 30:70. male was lower than female but as 5th companies ther staff was also under 35s.

Meanwhile other company relatively showing same number of staff but the difference become on their ratio and ages. Such as, In second and fourth company the male ratio are lower then female. but if we compared 3rd companay with other it shows highest ratio of male staff then others.

The highest staff turnover shown in fifth one as compared to other. second amd fourth companies also have almost same level of turnover. Similarly, first and second company have the lowest turnover.

the high income bracket was recorded in third company than in second and first one meanwhile the fourth and fifth have lowest high income bracket in staff

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

The student attempts to address the task by selecting several features from the table, such as staff numbers, gender ratios, age distribution, staff turnover, and high income brackets. However, the selection lacks a cohesive overview, and the reporting of data contains numerous inaccuracies and omissions. For instance, the statement that the fifth company has an almost equal gender ratio is contradicted by the table (51:49 is close, but other companies are misread or unclearly stated). Furthermore, the data comparisons are frequently vague or grammatically distorted, making it difficult to follow the precise trends. The response covers some parts of the task, but the development and accuracy of the information are insufficient for a higher band, placing it firmly at Band 5.0.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The essay is divided into paragraphs, which attempts to group related data points together. However, the logical progression is frequently disrupted by poor cohesive devices and abrupt transitions, such as 'Meanwhile other company relatively showing same number of staff'. Referencing is often unclear (e.g., 'the fifth one', 'second amd fourth companies'), and the overall flow is mechanical rather than natural. Paragraphing is attempted, but internal coherence within the paragraphs is weak due to disjointed sentences and confusing sequencing. This fits the Band 5 descriptor for Coherence and Cohesion.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

The vocabulary used is very basic and repetitive, relying on phrases like 'huge up and downs', 'highest number of staff', and 'ratio'. There are significant lexical and word-choice errors, such as 'the main turnover their almost all staff was under 35s' (confusing turnover with age proportion) and 'showes the lowers staff'. Less common vocabulary is attempted with frequent inaccuracy and awkward phrasing. Spelling mistakes ('showes', 'lower then', 'companay', 'amd') also occur. The lexical range is limited and barely adequate for the task, corresponding to a Band 5.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The student demonstrates a very limited range of grammatical structures, and attempts at complex sentences are frequently faulty. There are persistent errors in subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'the fifth company has a highest number...', 'first company showes the lowers staff'), incorrect prepositions, and awkward clause structures. Punctuation is also erratic, with missing capital letters at the start of sentences ('the high income bracket...'). These frequent errors cause difficulty for the reader and impede comprehension, matching the Band 5 descriptors for grammatical accuracy.

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