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 pie chart and table chart illustrate the whole of a survey of library users at a university.
Overall, it can be clearly seen that full time undergraduate categories of library user the highest part of the pie chart. And the table chart average user categories in very satisfied.
In the pie chart the noticeable highest categories was full time undergraduate at 44% while the lowest categories of library user in distance learning (all courses) at 8%. Academic staff and distance learning both were lowest categories in library user. Part-time postgraduate was almost twice as large as distance learning. Full-time postgraduate of 25% part of library.
In the table chart significant highest part in helpfulness of staff at 95 in very satisfied.and lowest categories was 45 in availability of journals. Second categories which was fairly satisfied highest part in availability of journals of 40. and lowest part in helpfulness of staff of 5. Moreover not satisfied categories average lowest categories.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main features of the data, such as the highest and lowest categories in both the pie chart and the table. However, the analysis is somewhat superficial and lacks a clear, cohesive overview. While you identify the 'full-time undergraduate' group as the largest, the description of the table data is confusing. For instance, stating '95 in very satisfied' lacks context regarding what this figure represents (e.g., percentage). To improve, ensure you provide a clear summary of the main trends and use precise terminology to describe the data points, ensuring that comparisons are explicitly stated rather than just listed.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is limited and sometimes mechanical. Phrases like 'In the pie chart' and 'In the table chart' are used repetitively to start paragraphs. The logical flow between sentences is occasionally disrupted by grammatical errors and awkward phrasing, such as 'Second categories which was fairly satisfied highest part'. To reach a higher band, focus on using a wider variety of linking words and transition signals to connect your ideas more fluidly and improve the overall progression of your argument.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary range is limited and often repetitive. You frequently use basic terms like 'highest part', 'lowest categories', and 'average'. There are also issues with word choice and collocation, such as 'table chart average user categories' and 'not satisfied categories average lowest categories', which make the meaning unclear. To improve, try to incorporate more precise academic vocabulary to describe data, such as 'account for', 'constitute', 'the majority', or 'a significant proportion'. Additionally, ensure that you use nouns and adjectives correctly to describe the survey results.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede communication. There are issues with subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'Academic staff and distance learning both were lowest categories'), missing articles (e.g., 'in distance learning'), and incomplete sentence structures (e.g., 'Full-time postgraduate of 25% part of library'). The range of sentence structures is quite narrow, relying mostly on simple sentences. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence construction, including the correct use of prepositions and articles, and attempt to incorporate more complex sentence structures to demonstrate a better command of English grammar.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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