Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-10-28

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 below illustrates the survey conducted by a national television to show us which companies are best for staff to work in.

The 1st and 2nd company has 30:70 and 47:52 male:female ratio respectively. The staff under 35s are of 77% and 59% in 1st and 2nd company whereas 0% and 1% for over 55s in 1st and 2nd company respectively. Additionally, in 1st company the amount of staff turnover is 5% and staff in high income bracket is 34%. On the other hand, in 2nd company the percentage of staff turnover is 18% and 45% in staff in high income bracket.

For 3rd, 4th and 5th best small company the amount of staff members are 72, 76 and 190 respectively. 74:26 male:female ration in 3rd company, 13:87 ratio for 4th and 51:49 male:female ratio in 5th company which is the highest among all best small companies. Amount of Under 35s are 82%,26% and 93% in 3rd,4th and 5th best company whereas 0%,8% and 0% for under 55s. Percenatge of staff overs are 8% in 3rd, 13% in 4th and 33% in 5th best small companies. 74% for 3rd largest company of staff in high income bracket which is the highest , 5% in 4th and 2% in a different 5th best small companies.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5

You include figures from all five companies, so the response is relevant, but it mainly lists details rather than summarising the most important features. There is no clear overview of the main contrasts—for example, that the fifth-ranked company has by far the most staff and highest turnover, while the third has the largest share in the high-income bracket. Several figures are also inaccurate: the second company’s high-income figure is 48%, not 45%, and the over-55 figures are incorrectly described as “under 55s.” The statement that the fifth company’s 51:49 ratio is the highest is not supported; the third company’s 74:26 ratio is more uneven. Select key comparisons and report them accurately to make the summary more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has some organisation: it first discusses the top two companies and then groups the third, fourth and fifth, with phrases such as “Additionally” and “On the other hand” signalling relationships. However, the grouping does not create a clear overall progression, and the response lacks a distinct overview to guide the reader through the main findings. Many details are packed into long sentences, particularly the paragraph beginning “For 3rd, 4th and 5th…”, making comparisons harder to follow. Some linking is also mechanical or unclear, such as “whereas” joining several figures without clearly identifying the comparison. A brief overview followed by focused comparison paragraphs would make the information easier to navigate.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some task-relevant vocabulary, including “male:female ratio,” “staff turnover” and “high income bracket,” which helps communicate the table’s categories. However, the range is limited and several expressions are inaccurate or unnatural, sometimes obscuring the intended meaning. For example, “staff overs” does not clearly describe the over-55 group, and “the amount of staff members” is an awkward way to refer to staff numbers. There are also spelling errors such as “ration” and “Percenatge,” alongside repeated use of “company” and “best small company.” Use precise table terminology and vary reporting verbs and comparison language; this would improve clarity and control.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt some longer sentences and use comparison structures, including “whereas” and “which,” but control is inconsistent. Agreement errors appear in “The 1st and 2nd company has,” where the plural subject requires a plural verb, and “the amount … are” also has a mismatch. Several sentences omit articles or use awkward grammatical patterns, as in “74% for 3rd largest company of staff in high income bracket.” Punctuation and spacing around lists are inconsistent, which makes some sentences difficult to process. Build accuracy with clear subject–verb patterns and complete sentences, then add comparisons in shorter, well-controlled clauses before attempting more complex structures.

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