Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-27
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 illustrates the outcome of a poll of library users at university. Overall, the data shows five different categories of library users and how satisfied they are with library services. Units are measured in percentage. The pool is carried out about five different library services.
The highest percentage of participants are full-time undergraduate(44%) followed by full-time post graduate(25%). The percentage of part-time post graduate is 16%. Academic staff and distance learning staff are participating with 7% and 8% respectively.
Most people (95%) are satisfied with the helpful staff while only 5% people voted as fairly satisfied with this category. 65% people were very satisfied with library opening hours whereas, 35% people were fairly satisfied. 50% people are very satisfied with the availability of the books while 40% are fairly satisfied and 10% are not satisfied. For the availability of journals level of satisfaction is divided as 45% very satisfied, 35% fairly satisfied and 20% not satisfied. For the last category, 48% users are very satisfied 33%users are fairly satisfied and 19% users are not satisfied with reliability of wifi 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 parts of the task by identifying the user categories and the satisfaction levels across five services. However, the report lacks a clear overview of the most significant trends. While you have listed the data, you have not effectively highlighted the main comparisons or contrasts, such as the stark difference between the high satisfaction with staff versus the lower satisfaction with wifi. To reach a higher band, ensure you synthesise the data rather than simply listing percentages for each category. The inclusion of a clear summary of the most and least satisfied areas would improve the analytical quality of the response.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is organised into logical paragraphs, with the first focusing on the user demographics and the second on satisfaction levels. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and repetitive. Phrases like '65% people were' and '50% people are' are used repeatedly, which makes the flow feel a bit stilted. To improve, try using a wider variety of linking words and referencing techniques to connect ideas more fluidly. The progression of information is generally clear, but the lack of varied transition signals makes the text feel like a list of facts rather than a cohesive report.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task, allowing for clear communication of the data. You have used some topic-specific terms like 'categories', 'percentage', and 'satisfaction'. However, the range is somewhat limited, and there is a reliance on basic phrasing. For instance, 'The pool is carried out' is an incorrect collocation; 'survey was conducted' would be more appropriate. Additionally, the repetition of 'people' and 'satisfied' limits the sophistication of the writing. Incorporating more varied synonyms and precise academic collocations would help elevate the lexical score.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as 'full-time undergraduate(44%)' which lacks an article, and 'The pool is carried out about five different library services' which contains an awkward preposition. Punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly regarding spacing around parentheses. While these errors do not prevent the reader from understanding the data, they occur frequently enough to limit the score. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of articles when referring to specific groups or percentages.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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