Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-04
IELTS Writing Task 1 question
The chart and table below show the results of a survey of library users at a university.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Categories of library users
Student answer (Band 5.5)
The chart illustrates the proportion about categories of library and the table demonstrates the satisfaction levels of library users at a university.
Overall, it can be seen that full-time undergraduate are the highest users of the library, whereas academic staff are the lowest users. Users mostly satisfied by the helpfulness of staff.
Full-time undergraduate are the highest proportion of library users with 44%, whereas the academic staff accounted by 7% with the lowest users. Full-time postgraduate participant is 25%, while part-time postgraduate accounted by only 16% respectively. Distance learning all courses student users are noted by 8%.
In library opening hours time 65% users very satisfied, whereas fairly satisfied users accounted by 35%. Users mostly satisfied by helpfulness of staff, which is accounted by 95% and fairly satisfaction level is only 5%. The highest proportion of not satisfaction is availability of journals with is 20% and half of the percentage is availability of books. 48% users satisfied with the reliability of wi-fi and 19% users not satisfied.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers all parts of the task by identifying the main features of both the chart and the table. You successfully highlight the highest and lowest user categories and compare satisfaction levels. However, the analysis is somewhat mechanical, relying heavily on listing figures rather than synthesizing the data. To reach a higher band, focus on grouping information more effectively and providing a more analytical overview. For instance, instead of listing every percentage, group the categories or satisfaction levels to show trends. The overview is present but could be more detailed by summarizing the general sentiment of the survey results rather than just mentioning the highest/lowest users.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is organized into logical paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the information. You use some cohesive devices like 'whereas' and 'while' to contrast data points. However, the flow between sentences is sometimes repetitive, and the use of cohesive devices is occasionally mechanical. For example, the phrase 'accounted by' is used repeatedly, which makes the writing feel formulaic. To improve, vary your linking words and ensure that each paragraph has a clear focus. The transition between the chart data and the table data is clear, but the internal structure of the paragraphs could be more fluid.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'proportion', 'satisfaction levels', and 'reliability'. However, there are several instances of awkward word choice and collocation errors, such as 'accounted by' (should be 'accounted for') and 'not satisfaction' (should be 'dissatisfaction'). These errors are noticeable but do not prevent the reader from understanding the data. To improve, focus on learning the correct prepositions and collocations associated with statistical reporting. Expanding your vocabulary to include more precise verbs for describing trends, such as 'constituted', 'represented', or 'fluctuated', would also be beneficial.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors throughout. Common issues include missing articles ('the' before 'highest proportion'), subject-verb agreement errors ('Full-time undergraduate are'), and incorrect preposition usage. While these errors do not impede communication, they are persistent and affect the overall fluency of the text. To improve, pay closer attention to pluralization and the correct use of articles. Proofreading for basic subject-verb agreement would significantly enhance the accuracy of your writing. Focus on mastering the structure 'X accounted for Y%' rather than 'X accounted by Y%'.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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