Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-10-07

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 and line graph illustrates the result of a survey conducted over a three-year period to discover what people think who live in London city. Overall, it shows people have more interest in range of shops is the best in all.

To begin with first facts representation of the top most things about living in london. A majority variation has reflected in each year. The highest percentage shows about the range of shops around 42% to 45%. Whereas, job opportunities and mixture of people have similar output which is 35% to 38%. A gradual increased each year which can be witnessed in museums and art galleries. An average variation shows in night life and transport categories.

Simultaneously, another graph trend showcase worst things about living in London which consist of five categories. The highest trend of Year 1 reflect for cost of living, traffic congestion and crime rate which gradually reduced in Year 2 for cost of living at 49% and crime rate drastically reduced by 38%. Traffic congestion remain same in Year 2 but reduced to 49% in Year 3. However, cost of housing remain same and slightly increase in Year 3.

Furthermore, people have more concern three main major problems including litter, air quality and noise. All three linear graph has showcased the reduction trend comparing from the Year 2. Litter was slightly higher in Year 2 and reduced in Year 3.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the main subject and include relevant comparisons, especially the range of shops as the leading positive feature and the high figures for litter, air quality and noise. However, coverage is uneven: the final chart is described only in general terms, with no figures for its downward trends, and the positive-chart overview is unclear (“people have more interest in range of shops is the best in all”). Some details are inaccurate or imprecise: cost of living was not the highest in Year 1 (crime was slightly higher), and cost of housing did not remain the same across the period. To strengthen the report, give a clear overview of the main patterns and select accurate figures from all three charts. The response meets the required length; 13 words copied from the task prompt were excluded from the count.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, a paragraph on positive features, one on drawbacks, and a final paragraph on major problems. This gives the reader a broad route through the information, and transitions such as “Simultaneously” and “Furthermore” signal changes of topic. However, progression within paragraphs is sometimes difficult to follow, and some linking is mechanical or unclear. For example, “To begin with first facts representation” does not clearly introduce a comparison, while “All three linear graph has showcased the reduction trend comparing from the Year 2” leaves the time relationship uncertain. Grouping the charts more explicitly and using clear comparisons between years would make the organisation more coherent and cohesion less dependent on formulaic transitions.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use relevant chart vocabulary, including “percentage,” “gradual,” “reduced,” and “categories,” and you attempt to describe trends rather than simply list labels. However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations are unnatural, sometimes making the meaning unclear. Examples include “majority variation,” “similar output,” “highest trend,” and “more interest in range of shops.” Repetition of “trend,” “shows,” and “reduced” also limits precision. Aim for standard data-reporting expressions such as “accounted for,” “remained stable,” “declined,” and “was the most frequently cited advantage.” Check spelling and capitalisation of “London” and “nightlife” as well. More accurate collocations would make your comparisons clearer and more natural.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentence forms, including comparisons introduced by “whereas” and clauses describing changes over time. However, control is inconsistent, and errors in sentence construction, agreement and verb forms frequently affect clarity. For instance, “The bar charts and line graph illustrates” has a subject–verb agreement error, while “A gradual increased each year which can be witnessed” is not a complete, correctly formed sentence. In “Traffic congestion remain same,” the verb and article are missing, and “All three linear graph has showcased” has agreement problems. Practise building complete sentences with a clear subject and verb, and check singular/plural agreement and tense consistency when reporting past survey results.

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

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