Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-18
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 provided chart compares the five categories of library users, with a table containing information, in result of a survey conducted among the pupils.
Overall, full-time undergraduate students are often seen in the library preparing for their exams or reading novels. However, a small number of distance-learning students are recorded. In addition, users are satisfied with the staff because they are cooperative.
Furthermore, a difference of 9% is recorded between full-time and part-time graduates, whereas only 7% of academic staff are found studying in the library. On the other hand, 20% of students were unsatisfied with the unavailability of some journal, while only 10% of pupils have the same problem related to books. Moreover, the timings of the library attracted a substantial number of students, and none of them had to deal with any issue, regarding the operating hours.
To sum up, students were happy with the provided facilities, and most of them used to find peace studying in the library.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response attempts to summarize the data but fails to provide a clear, accurate overview of the main features. The description of the data is inconsistent; for instance, the text mentions 'full-time undergraduate students' and 'distance-learning students' as categories, but the provided image data is not clearly linked to these specific labels in the text. Furthermore, the analysis of the table data is fragmented and lacks a logical connection to the chart. The response relies on subjective interpretations (e.g., 'students were happy') rather than objective reporting of the statistical information provided in the prompt. To improve, focus on identifying the highest and lowest values and making direct comparisons between the categories.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the progression of ideas is weak. While cohesive devices such as 'In addition,' 'Furthermore,' and 'On the other hand' are used, they are sometimes employed mechanically or to connect loosely related points. The referencing is occasionally unclear, particularly when transitioning between the chart data and the table data. The overall flow is somewhat disjointed, as the summary does not synthesize the information into a cohesive report, but rather lists observations in a way that feels slightly disconnected.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks the precision required for a higher band. There are some awkward collocations and word choices, such as 'in result of a survey' (should be 'as a result of') and 'unavailability of some journal' (should be 'journals'). The range of vocabulary is somewhat limited, relying on basic descriptive terms. To reach a higher band, you should incorporate more precise terminology related to data analysis, such as 'proportion,' 'percentage,' 'significant,' or 'marginal,' and ensure that nouns and verbs are used in their correct plural or singular forms.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. However, there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally distract the reader. Examples include 'a table containing information, in result of a survey' (awkward phrasing), 'only 10% of pupils have the same problem' (tense inconsistency, should be 'had'), and 'none of them had to deal with any issue, regarding the operating hours' (unnecessary comma). While the meaning is generally clear, the control over complex structures is inconsistent, and the punctuation is sometimes used incorrectly, which limits the score in this criterion.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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