Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-06
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 pie chart illustrates the result of a survey of five categories of users such as: academic staff, full-time undergraduate, full-time postgraduate, part-time postgraduate, and distance learning (all kinds of courses) at a university, while the table shows the library user feedback in proportion.
Overall, full-time undergraduate library usage was noticeably the highest one, whereas the second highest proportion was full-time postgraduate. However, academic staff was significantly the lowest one, and distance learning (all kinds of courses) increased to only 1% throughout the chart.
Furthermore, full-time undergraduate utilization was more than others at around 44%, as compared to full-time postgraduate, which was only 25%. Moreover, academic staff was only 7%, and distance learning (all courses) increased to only 1%. Similarly, part-time postgraduate was the third-highest proportion at 16%, respectively.
By comparing the table data, the helpfulness of staff feedback was much more positive, at around 95%, rather than the others. In addition, normal satisfaction was only higher and noticeable in the availability of books, while the others significantly declined. Additionally, the not satisfied usage proportion was highest in the availability of journals, while the others were less noticeable throughout the table.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
You have successfully identified the main features of both the pie chart and the table. However, the analysis is somewhat mechanical and lacks a cohesive comparison between the two data sets. For instance, you list the percentages for user categories but do not effectively link these to the satisfaction levels in the table. Additionally, your description of the data as 'increasing' (e.g., 'distance learning increased to only 1%') is inaccurate, as the chart represents a static survey result at a single point in time, not a trend over time. To improve, focus on grouping data logically and ensuring your terminology accurately reflects the nature of the data provided.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is organised into clear paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. You use cohesive devices such as 'Furthermore', 'Moreover', and 'In addition' to link your ideas. However, some of these transitions feel slightly repetitive or mechanical. The progression of ideas is generally logical, but the connection between the pie chart data and the table data could be smoother. Ensure that each paragraph has a clear focus; currently, the third paragraph mixes general observations with specific data points that could be better integrated into the overall summary.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'proportion', 'utilization', and 'noticeable'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation. For example, 'academic staff was significantly the lowest one' is slightly awkward; 'accounted for the smallest proportion' would be more precise. Additionally, the phrase 'increased to only 1%' is a lexical error because the data does not show change over time. Expanding your vocabulary to include more precise reporting verbs and comparative structures would help you reach a higher band.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, which is appropriate for this task. There are some grammatical errors, such as 'full-time undergraduate library usage was noticeably the highest one' (should be 'the highest category') and 'academic staff was only 7%' (should be 'accounted for only 7%'). While these errors do not impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. Focus on subject-verb agreement and ensuring that your comparisons are grammatically complete to improve your accuracy.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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