Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-15
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 chart demonstrates outcomes of a survey conducted for library users at university.
Graph is categorized into different user types. In which major portion of chart is holding by a full-time undergrad students. While the lowest area of chart contains library usage proportion of academic staff.
It contain full time students, part time students, distance learning students and academic staff. Firstly, I will discuss about Full-time students category which also contain two types depending upon their course of study: Full-time undergraduate students showed a 44% which is the highest percentage of library users among all other categories, on the other hand full-time postgrad students holding a second major proportion of library users which is 25%.
Secondly, if we look into the part time-time postgrads then they are holding 16% area of chart means in this category students are on this proportion in library usage. Then, there is a type of students who are on distance learning but still use library , they covers 8 percent of overall library proportion.
At the end, there is group related to academic staff which has the lowest percentage of only 7% in using library and its services.
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
The response covers all categories presented in the chart. However, the overview is weak; it lacks a clear summary of the main trends, such as the dominance of full-time students compared to the minority status of academic staff. The structure is somewhat repetitive, focusing on listing percentages rather than synthesizing the data to make meaningful comparisons. To improve, you should group the data more effectively—for instance, by contrasting the student groups with the staff—and ensure the overview highlights the most significant disparity in the data.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is organized into paragraphs, but the progression of ideas is mechanical. The use of cohesive devices like 'Firstly' and 'Secondly' is somewhat forced and does not always lead to a smooth flow of information. Some sentences are fragmented, such as 'In which major portion of chart is holding by a full-time undergrad students,' which disrupts the logical flow. Paragraphing is present but could be more effectively used to separate the overview from the detailed body paragraphs. Improving the use of referencing and transition words will help the text read more naturally.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks variety and precision. Phrases like 'holding a second major proportion' and 'area of chart' are unnatural and repetitive. There is a reliance on basic descriptive language. To reach a higher band, you should incorporate more precise academic vocabulary related to data reporting, such as 'account for,' 'constitute,' 'the vast majority,' or 'a marginal percentage.' The current range is sufficient to convey the basic meaning but does not demonstrate the flexibility required for higher scores.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains several grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. There are frequent issues with article usage ('the' is often missing or misused) and sentence structure, such as 'Graph is categorized' (missing subject) and 'Full-time undergraduate students showed a 44% which is the highest percentage' (awkward relative clause). While you attempt some complex structures, they are often inaccurate. You should focus on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of articles. The majority of sentences are simple, and the lack of control over complex forms limits the score.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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