Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-10-30

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

THE FIVE BEST SMALL COMPANIES TO WORK FOR

Student answer (Band 5.0)

The table compares the five small best companies by five different positions to find out which company is best to work in Britian.

Overall, it is clear that among all five companies, 5th company shows higher benefits in all aspects except high income bracket, while staff turnover presents the lowest paercentage in all companies.

According to the position in survey, staff numbers are greater in 5th company, about 190, comparing to the 2nd, 3rd and 4th companies, presenting 79,72 and 76 memebers in staff, however the 1st company records the lowest numbers almost 56 percent.

In contrast, staff with high income has lowest percentage in 5th company, records only 2 percent, followed by the 5 percent salary in 4th company, while 3rd company represents the highest percentage of income, at 74 percent.

among all companies male and famale ration is greater in third compnay, about 74 by 26, comparing to 4th company, records lowest ratio , at 13 by 87 rast

AI examiner evaluation

CriterionBand
Task Achievement / Task Response4.5
Coherence and Cohesion5.5
Lexical Resource5.0
Grammatical Range and Accuracy5.0
Overall5.0

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5

The response identifies some relevant comparisons, including the largest workforce in the fifth-ranked company (190) and the highest high-income share in the third (74%). However, the overview is inaccurate: the fifth company does not show higher benefits in most aspects, as it has the highest turnover (33%) and the lowest high-income share (2%). The claim that turnover is lowest across all companies is also incorrect; it ranges from 5% to 33%. Several important features are omitted, especially the age figures, and the male-to-female ratios are only partly discussed. Some figures are misreported too: 56 is a staff count, not a percentage. A more accurate overview and fuller selection of key contrasts are needed.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

There is some organisation: the response begins with an introduction, gives an overview, and then groups details about staff numbers, income and gender. Linking phrases such as “Overall,” “According to” and “In contrast” help signal the intended relationships. However, progression is uneven, and the final paragraph ends abruptly, leaving the comparison incomplete. Some connections are unclear or misleading, particularly “while staff turnover presents the lowest percentage in all companies,” which does not clearly relate to the preceding claim and is factually confusing. Paragraphing could be used more purposefully, with one paragraph for the overview and others for related comparisons. Clearer sequencing and more precise referencing would make the report easier to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

The response uses some task-relevant vocabulary, including “staff numbers,” “high income bracket,” “percentage” and “ratio,” so the topic is generally recognisable. However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations are inaccurate, such as “higher benefits,” “best to work in” and “records the lowest numbers.” Spelling errors—including “Britian,” “paercentage,” “memebers,” “famale” and “compnay”—are noticeable and sometimes make reading less smooth. The repeated use of “company,” “percentage” and “records” also limits variety. Aim for precise reporting language such as “ranked first,” “accounted for” and “staff turnover,” and check spelling carefully.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response attempts both simple and more extended sentence forms, for example, “According to the position in survey, staff numbers are greater in 5th company …, comparing to…” However, complex constructions are often faulty, and errors occur frequently enough to make some relationships difficult to interpret. Examples include “among all companies male and famale ration is greater in third compnay,” which lacks clear sentence structure, and “while 3rd company represents the highest percentage of income,” where the subject and phrasing are not controlled. Articles and prepositions are also often missing or inaccurate, as in “in 5th company” and “in survey.” Use shorter, complete sentences first, then build complexity with accurate clauses and punctuation.

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