Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-11
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 and table depict the data of a survey of users of a library in a certain university.
Overall, the users of the library is given in percentage in a pie chart with the largest proportion as full-time undergraduate students and the second highest as postgraduates and followed by a decreasing number of user percentages. Additionally, the satisfaction rate of the library facilities is mostly marked as very satisfied to fairly satisfied with only one few (books, journals and wi-fi) as not satisfied.
Firstly, the most library visitors in the pie is full-time undergraduates as the proportion is less than a half (44%) while the second and third position is taken by full-time postgraduates(25%) and part-time postgraduates(16%), respectively. Additionally, the other users are almost less than 10% of the whole users percentage.
Secondly, the users rated the highest satisfaction for stuff helpfulness(95%) while the other services are lesser as the lowest rated is journal availability(45%). Moreover, the fairly satisfied ratings are all less than a half and dissatisfaction ratings are lower than 20% with opening hours and helpfulness both rated 0% for not satisfied.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| 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. You provided a clear overview and selected relevant data points to support your summary. However, the response lacks a degree of precision in data reporting. For instance, stating 'almost less than 10%' is vague, and 'one few' is grammatically incorrect and unclear. To reach a higher band, ensure that all comparisons are precise and that you avoid informal phrasing. You covered all parts of the task, but the analysis could be more insightful by grouping the data more effectively rather than just listing percentages.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The response is logically organized into an introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs. You use cohesive devices such as 'Firstly', 'Secondly', and 'Moreover' to guide the reader. However, some transitions feel mechanical, and the referencing is occasionally awkward, such as in the phrase 'the most library visitors in the pie is full-time undergraduates'. Paragraphing is used appropriately, but the flow between sentences could be improved to make the relationships between the data points more explicit. The overall structure is clear, but the cohesion lacks the sophistication required for a higher band.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'proportion', 'satisfaction rate', and 'respectively'. However, there are instances of imprecise word choice and awkward phrasing, such as 'one few' and 'stuff helpfulness' (which should be 'staff helpfulness'). The repetition of 'users' and 'percentage' limits the lexical variety. To improve, focus on using more precise academic collocations and synonyms to avoid repetitive language. While your vocabulary is sufficient to convey the main points, it lacks the flexibility and precision needed for a higher score.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical errors that occur throughout the text. Examples include subject-verb agreement issues ('the users of the library is given') and awkward phrasing ('the other services are lesser as the lowest rated is journal availability'). Punctuation is generally functional, but there are minor errors in sentence construction. To achieve a higher band, you need to increase the frequency of error-free sentences and ensure that complex structures are used with greater accuracy.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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