Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-08-30

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

The bar charts and line graph below show the results of a survey conducted over a three-year period to discover what people who live in London think of the city.

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

What are the best things about living in London?

Student answer (Band 5.0)

The bar chart illustrates the living standards of people in London over three years. In this two types of graphs are given.

The Upper one demonstrates living standards. There are six types of ranges present. Range of shops are more as compare to others. That is great in first year. Job opportunities are same in 2,3 year that is around (35%) in first year is slightly high (38%). Mixture of people are remaining same in 1 and 2 year (38%) and low in 3rd year ( 35%).

The worst things are cost of living, traffic congestion, crime and cost of housing. Crime rates are higher than others. that is more in first year ( 55%) after the policy it can be controlled in 2nd and 3rd year.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.0

The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which significantly impacts the score. Furthermore, the report is incomplete; it only addresses the first chart and provides a very brief, superficial summary of the second. The description of the data is inaccurate in places, such as misinterpreting the 'best things' as 'living standards' and failing to clearly distinguish between the different categories provided in the prompt. The overview is missing, and the data selection is not representative of the full scope of the charts. To improve, you must ensure all parts of the prompt are addressed, include a clear overview of the main trends, and provide sufficient detail to meet the length requirement.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The response lacks a clear logical progression. While there is an attempt to use paragraphs, the ideas within them are disjointed and difficult to follow. The use of cohesive devices is very limited and often mechanical, such as 'The Upper one' and 'In this two types of graphs'. There is no clear transition between the description of the two charts, and the referencing is often unclear, making it difficult for the reader to identify which data point is being discussed. To improve, use linking words to connect your ideas and ensure each paragraph has a clear focus.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is basic and repetitive, which limits the ability to describe the data precisely. Phrases like 'Range of shops are more' and 'Mixture of people are remaining same' are imprecise and grammatically awkward. There is little attempt to use academic vocabulary suitable for a report. The student relies on simple descriptors rather than using precise terminology to describe trends, such as 'fluctuated', 'remained stable', or 'experienced a decline'. Expanding your range of vocabulary related to data description is essential for achieving a higher band score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede communication. There are issues with subject-verb agreement ('Range of shops are more'), article usage, and sentence structure. The sentences are mostly simple, and there is a lack of complex structures. Punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly with the use of parentheses for percentages. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence construction, ensuring subject-verb agreement, and practicing the use of complex sentences to describe trends and comparisons more effectively.

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

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