Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-12

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)

This chart and table explain different categories of library users and their satisfied with services being offered there. Overall, it observed that full time undergraduate students use library most. Academic staff, However, recorded the least majority in library with 7% of users only. From the satisfaction table, the majority is happy with helpfulness of staff. Meanwhile, the availability of journals is reported as unsatisfactory the most. Nearly 44 % of undergraduate students avail library services, making the largest using categories. Full time and part time postgraduate users stand second and third with 25% and 16 % of users respectively. Meanwhile, the distance learners makes up around 8 % of the users. slightly above the acdemic staff. the satisfaction table reports that around 95 % of users with the staff coordination. However nearly 20% of users are unsatisfied with journals avalability but 45 % are satisfied with the wi-fi

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which negatively impacts the task achievement score. While you have identified the main features of the chart and table, the analysis is somewhat superficial. You have successfully highlighted the largest and smallest user categories and touched upon the satisfaction levels; however, the report lacks a clear, cohesive overview that synthesizes the data effectively. To improve, ensure you provide a more comprehensive summary of the data trends and ensure you meet the minimum length requirement to allow for full development of your points.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organized into paragraphs, which is a positive step. However, the logical flow between sentences is occasionally disjointed. The use of cohesive devices is limited and sometimes mechanical, such as the repetitive use of 'meanwhile' and 'however'. The paragraphing is present but the transition between the chart data and the table data could be smoother. To improve, try using a wider variety of linking words and ensure that each paragraph has a clear topic sentence that guides the reader through your analysis.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

Your vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, but it lacks the precision and variety expected at higher bands. You rely on basic phrasing such as 'largest using categories' and 'unsatisfactory the most'. There are also some spelling errors, such as 'acdemic' and 'avalability', and minor grammatical issues with word choice, such as 'satisfied with services being offered there'. To reach a higher band, focus on using more academic collocations and ensure your spelling is accurate throughout the text.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains a mix of simple and some attempted complex structures, but there are frequent errors in grammar and punctuation. For example, 'their satisfied with services' should be 'their satisfaction with the services', and 'the distance learners makes up' should be 'make up'. Additionally, there are issues with sentence fragments and missing articles. While these errors do not completely impede communication, they are frequent enough to affect the overall clarity of your writing. Focus on subject-verb agreement and consistent use of articles to improve your accuracy.

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

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