Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-09-11

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 5.5)

The bar charts display the pros and cons of living in London in three years, whereas the line graph illustrates whether litter, air quality and noise are the main factors.

Overall, the variety of shops and the cost of living are the best and worst things about living in London. On the other hand, the largest number of people voted for litter to be the primary issue in London.

In the first year, around 45% of people enjoyed the variety of shops in London, which fall in the next year before rising again in year 3 to just above 45%. Job opportunities stood at just under 40% in the first year, before declining to around 35% and remaining constant for the next two years.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which significantly impacts the task achievement. Because the essay is incomplete, the data is not fully described; you have only covered a small portion of the information provided in the charts. To achieve a higher band, you must ensure that all key features are identified and described, including the line graph data regarding litter, air quality, and noise, which was largely ignored. You need to provide a more comprehensive overview and ensure that all trends are supported by data points to fully satisfy the requirements of an Academic Task 1 report.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is organised into paragraphs, and there is a basic attempt at logical progression. You use some cohesive devices such as 'Overall' and 'On the other hand' to link ideas. However, because the response is incomplete, the overall structure feels fragmented. To improve, ensure that each paragraph has a clear focus and that you use a wider range of linking words to connect your sentences and ideas more fluidly. The transition between the description of the bar charts and the line graph is missing, which makes the report feel disjointed.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary used is generally appropriate for the task, with terms like 'pros and cons', 'primary issue', and 'declining' used correctly. However, the range is somewhat limited and repetitive. To reach a higher band, you should incorporate more precise vocabulary related to data description, such as 'fluctuated', 'remained stable', or 'accounted for'. You should also avoid repeating the same phrases. While the current vocabulary is sufficient to convey meaning, it lacks the flexibility and sophistication required for a higher score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

There is a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as the use of 'whereas' to contrast information. However, there are some grammatical errors, such as 'in three years' (should be 'over a three-year period') and 'which fall in the next year' (tense inconsistency; should be 'fell'). These errors do not generally impede communication, but they do show a lack of control over complex structures. To improve, focus on maintaining consistent verb tenses when describing past data and ensure subject-verb agreement throughout your writing.

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

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