Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-10-27

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 5.0)

This table illsutrates the five best small companies in Britain.

Overall, the fifth company accounts for highest staffs, at 190. In contrast, first company records the lowest number. Second, third and fourth company's staff numbers are very close. In addition, large proportion of male has achieved the third company. Besides that, the fourth company has recorded the lowest figure. On the other hand, the most female staff workk at the first company and the lowest figure has third company. The most surprising fact is that, the first, third and fifth company's all staffs are under 55 years. The second company also the same but slightly different. The most employee turnover rate has recoreded the fifth company. In constrast, first company achieved the lowest figure. Third company has recorded the high income bracket but the fourth and fifth compnay has achieved the poor figure. The first and Second company are stable in this side

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify several relevant features, including the largest workforce at the fifth-ranked company, the lowest turnover at the first, and the highest high-income share at the third. These comparisons show an attempt to select key information. However, some statements are inaccurate or unclear: the first company does not have the lowest staff number (56, compared with 72 for the third), and saying that all staff at three companies are “under 55” does not accurately report the table’s under-35 and over-55 categories. The overview also misses useful contrasts, such as the fifth company’s highest turnover and lowest high-income share. Cover the table’s main patterns more precisely and distinguish the age groups to make the summary more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5

The response includes an opening and an overall statement, and it attempts to compare companies using phrases such as “In contrast” and “On the other hand.” However, the ideas are presented as one continuous sequence rather than being grouped into clear paragraphs or organised by related features. The repeated transitions—“Besides that,” “On the other hand,” and “In constrast”—often make the writing feel mechanical, while some references, such as “the lowest figure,” do not clearly identify which measure is being discussed. Group workforce characteristics together, then discuss turnover and income, and use explicit company rankings or measure names to guide the reader through the comparisons.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some relevant vocabulary for describing data, including “staff numbers,” “proportion,” “turnover rate,” and “high income bracket.” This gives the response a basic range suited to the task. However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or awkward, such as “accounts for highest staffs,” “large proportion of male has achieved,” and “stable in this side.” Spelling errors, including “illsutrates,” “workk,” “recoreded,” “constrast,” and “compnay,” also reduce control. Choose precise terms for people and percentages, and check spelling carefully. For example, describe a company as having the largest workforce or the highest proportion of male employees, rather than saying employees have “achieved” a figure.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt a range of sentence patterns, including contrast clauses beginning “In contrast” and “On the other hand,” and most of the intended comparisons can be understood. However, control of basic sentence grammar is inconsistent. Examples include “first company records the lowest number,” which needs an article and is factually incorrect, and “the fourth and fifth company has achieved,” where the plural subject requires a plural noun and verb. Phrases such as “the first, third and fifth company's all staffs” also show problems with possessives and noun forms. Build accurate simple sentences first, checking articles, singular/plural agreement, and verb forms; then add more complex comparisons once those patterns are secure.

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.