Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-09-12

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

The graphs below show the number of drivers in Britain who have been caught driving too fast by speed cameras placed on roads, and the number of people killed in road accidents, over an eight-year period since the introduction of speed cameras. The tables show the results of a survey on people's opinions on speed cameras.

Write a report for a university lecturer describing the information below.

SPEED CAMERA FINES and ROAD ACCIDENT FATALITIES

Student answer (Band 5.5)

The rendered bar graph illustrates the information about the results of a survey conducted for the british car drivers who have been recorded driving at high speed by speed cameras, and the number of individuals killed in road accidents, in the eight-year period after the introduction of speed cameras and the report of people's opinions about these cameras. The data is calibrated into numbers and percentages.

After taking the statistical data into account, it may be inferred that from first year the ratio of fines for over-speeding remained between 200,000 to 600,000 which is then dramatically increased to 1,600,000 in the eight year. Interestingly, the number of road accident fatalities remained fluctuating between 3,100 to 3,500 in given eight years.

Turning toward the test of the details, it can be clearly seen that majority of people declined that speed cameras resulted in reducing number of accidents on roads while, only 32% people agreed. Moreover, 71% individuals opinion about the main reason for installation of speed cameras was to raise revenue. Lastly, 56% individuals voted that there were more than enough speed cameras on roads

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The candidate has made a good attempt to address all parts of the prompt, incorporating data from both the visual graphs and the survey tables. An overview is provided in the opening paragraph, mentioning the trends and survey details. In the body paragraphs, key features are selected, such as the rise in fines from 'between 200,000 to 600,000' to 1,600,000, and the fluctuation in road fatalities. Survey statistics like the 71% who believe revenue-raising is the main goal are also highlighted. However, there are minor inaccuracies in data interpretation, such as referring to 'british car drivers' when the chart specifies drivers caught by speed cameras, and some generalisations lack precise temporal anchoring. Nonetheless, the task is sufficiently covered to merit a Band 6.5.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The report displays a clear overall progression. It begins with an introductory overview, moves to trends in fines and fatalities, and concludes with survey opinions. Cohesive devices are employed to guide the reader, such as 'After taking the statistical data into account', 'Interestingly', and 'Turning toward the test of the details'. However, referencing and cohesion occasionally feel mechanical or slightly awkward, such as 'Turning toward the test of the details' (likely a typo for 'rest of the details'). Paragraphing is utilised appropriately to separate the introduction, the graph data, and the survey results, establishing a coherent and logical framework throughout the response.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The student exhibits an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for an Academic Task 1 report, incorporating terms such as 'calibrated', 'fluctuating', 'survey', and 'revenue'. There are, however, several lexical inaccuracies and awkward word choices, such as 'british' (capitalisation error), 'car drivers' (when simply 'drivers' is more appropriate), 'ratio of fines' (instead of number or volume of fines), and 'declined' (used incorrectly in place of 'disagreed' or 'denied'). Spelling is generally accurate, but these word-choice slips restrict the lexical score to a Band 6.0, as they occasionally impede natural expression.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence forms. The writer attempts complex structures using relative clauses and participial phrases, as seen in 'drivers in Britain who have been caught...' and 'After taking the statistical data into account...'. However, there are noticeable grammatical errors and awkward phrasing throughout, including 'from first year the ratio... remained between 200,000 to 600,000 which is then dramatically increased' (tense inconsistency and preposition mismatch), '71% individuals opinion' (missing possessive apostrophe), and '56% individuals voted that there were' (awkward collocation). Despite these errors, meaning is generally clear and communication is rarely impeded, supporting a Band 6.0 score.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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