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 pie chart and table illustrates the percentage of the result of a survey in 5 different categories as well as of library users at a university.
Examining the data of the library users, the highest proportion was noted for full-time undergraduate at around half of over all criteria. 25% accounted for full-time postgraduate. However, part-time postgraduates, distance learning users and academic staff reported minimal figures.
The survey of library user depicts that, the dominant sector was a helpfulness of staff was observed the very satisfied feedback at 95% with only 5% fairly satisfied figure. The library users were secondly most satisfied with opening hours with more than half of the positive response, following 35% for fairly satisfied ratio. However, the proportion for very satisfied and fairly satisfied were mainly similar for the availability of books and journals as well as wifi with the nearly 10% to 20% for not satisfied responses.
Overall, the highest figure accounted for undergraduate, followed by second position for postgraduate in the categories of library. The survey was showed positive feedback for libr
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response covers the main features of the data, but the analysis is incomplete as the text ends abruptly mid-sentence. While you successfully identify the highest proportions for user categories and satisfaction levels, the lack of a conclusion and the incomplete final sentence prevent a full overview. To improve, ensure you provide a clear summary of the main trends and avoid leaving sentences unfinished. You have selected relevant data points, such as the 95% satisfaction rate for staff helpfulness, but the comparison between categories could be more detailed to fully meet the requirements of a Band 6 or higher.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the progression of ideas is sometimes hindered by awkward phrasing and a lack of cohesive devices. For example, the transition between the user categories and the satisfaction survey is abrupt. While you use some linking words like 'However' and 'Overall', the flow is often mechanical. The abrupt ending significantly impacts the coherence of the final paragraph, making the overall argument feel unfinished. Using a wider range of cohesive devices to link sentences and ideas more naturally would improve your score.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'proportion', 'dominant sector', and 'minimal figures'. However, there are several instances of imprecise word choice and awkward collocations, such as 'the survey was showed positive feedback' and 'the highest proportion was noted for full-time undergraduate at around half of over all criteria'. These errors occasionally make the meaning slightly unclear. To reach a higher band, focus on using more precise academic vocabulary and ensuring that your word choices fit the context of describing data trends accurately.
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 affect readability. Issues include subject-verb agreement ('The pie chart and table illustrates'), incorrect article usage, and awkward sentence construction ('the survey was showed positive feedback'). While the meaning is generally understandable, these recurring errors indicate a lack of control over complex structures. To improve, focus on proofreading for basic grammatical accuracy, particularly verb tenses and pluralisation, and ensure that your sentences are constructed with clear subject-verb-object relationships.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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