Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-14

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 data illustrates the results of a survey at a university by different types of library users from undergraduates to academic staff. The survey also compares a number of factors like opening hours, availability of books and journals and others on the likers scale of very satisfied to not satisfied.

Overall, the pie chart results in the highest stake by full-time undergraduates followed by full-time postgraduates. Part-time postgraduate students also shares a good percentage or library usage. Distance learning and academic staff appear to be on the lower side of the users.

Categorically, full-time undergraduate students lacks only 6% to get to the 50% mark as the library users. Full-time postgraduates also gets a significantly bigger chunk in the pie chart of 25% followed by 16% piece by part-time postgraduate students. The remaining 15% is distributed equally between the distance learning users and the academic staff.

The table underneath the pie chart resulted after the survey by the different library users gives us a sneak peak into the various factors important to the library usage with helpful staff mostly liked by the users at around 95%. The users d

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response covers the main features of the pie chart, but the description of the table is incomplete as the text cuts off abruptly. While you identify the main user categories, the analysis of the table data is missing, which prevents a full summary of the provided information. To improve, ensure you complete the analysis of all data sets provided in the prompt. The overview is present, but the lack of completion in the final paragraph significantly impacts the task fulfillment, as the comparison of the satisfaction factors is not developed.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is organized into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the progression of ideas is hindered by the incomplete ending. Cohesive devices are used, such as 'Overall' and 'Categorically', but some transitions feel slightly mechanical. The referencing is generally clear, but the sudden termination of the text disrupts the logical flow of the final paragraph. To improve, focus on ensuring that each paragraph has a clear conclusion and that the transition between the chart and the table is smoother.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'distributed equally' and 'significantly bigger chunk'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'highest stake' (instead of 'highest proportion') and 'likers scale' (instead of 'Likert scale'). Additionally, 'sneak peak' is a common misspelling of 'sneak peek'. While these errors do not impede communication, they indicate a need for more precise academic vocabulary to reach a higher band score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as subject-verb agreement issues: 'full-time undergraduate students lacks' (should be 'lack') and 'Part-time postgraduate students also shares' (should be 'share'). Punctuation is generally functional, but the incomplete sentence at the end is a major issue. To improve, pay closer attention to subject-verb agreement and ensure that all sentences are fully formed and grammatically correct.

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

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