Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-05
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 and table illustrate the information related to the library users obtained via a survey conducted at a university.
Overall, the pie chart shows the proportion of multiple categories of people including students and staff using the library. With majority being full time undergraduate students whilst the lowest share was held by the academic staff . On the other hand the table represents the satisfaction of overall users in multiple aspects of the library with most users being very satisfied with the staff.
The pie chart indicates majority users of the library being either full time undergraduate students at 44 percent or full time postgraduate students accounting for 25 percent of the total users. Whilst online learning users accounted for just 7 percent of the users which may be due to 19 percent of users bein unsatisfied by the wi-fi connection as shown in the table. Followed by the staff .
No users complained about the opening hours as well as the cooperation of the library staff .
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main features of both the chart and the table, but the analysis is somewhat superficial. While you correctly identify the largest and smallest categories of users, the comparison between the survey data (wi-fi satisfaction) and the user categories is a good attempt at synthesis. However, the report lacks a clear summary of the table's data regarding other satisfaction metrics. The final sentence is fragmented and lacks sufficient detail to fully represent the data provided. To improve, ensure all key data points are clearly presented and that comparisons are fully developed rather than just listed.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and occasionally inaccurate. For instance, 'Followed by the staff' is a sentence fragment that disrupts the flow. Transitions between the pie chart and the table could be smoother to better integrate the information. While there is an overall logical progression, the lack of sophisticated linking words and the presence of disjointed sentences prevent the response from reaching a higher band. Improving the variety of cohesive devices would enhance the clarity of your arguments.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, allowing you to convey the main points. You use some topic-specific terms like 'proportion', 'undergraduate', and 'satisfaction'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and phrasing, such as 'majority users' (should be 'the majority of users') and 'bein unsatisfied' (spelling error). The range of vocabulary is somewhat limited, relying on repetitive structures. To achieve a higher score, try to incorporate more precise academic collocations and ensure accurate spelling throughout the text.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede the flow. Examples include missing articles ('the' before 'majority'), incorrect verb forms ('bein'), and sentence fragments ('Followed by the staff'). Punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly with the placement of commas. While the meaning is generally clear, the frequency of these errors suggests a need for more careful proofreading and a better grasp of sentence construction. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and article usage will significantly improve your accuracy.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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