Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-01
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 demonstrates the results of a survey of library users at a university. The pie chart represents the categories of library users, whereas the table shows the library user's satisfaction percentage. Most people were satisfied with the library opening hours, helpfulness of staff while other had mixed opinions on availability of books, journals and reliability of wifi. The majority of the library users were full-time undergraduate, around 44%, and the least number of users belonged to the academic staff (7%). There are two categories of postgraduate library users, part-time and full-time, and they were about 16% and 25% respectively. There was about 8% people from the distance learning group.
The table illustrates the user's satisfaction level. There are three tiers, very satisfied, fairly satisfied and not satisfied. Majority of the people were satisfied with the library opening hours and helpfullness of staff. Some people had mixed opinions about availability of books, journals and reliability of wifi, along with fewer people that were not satisfied.
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 the main features of the data, but it lacks a clear overview and fails to integrate the two data sets effectively. While you identify the user categories and satisfaction levels, the report is largely a list of figures rather than a synthesis. For instance, you mention the percentages of users but do not compare them effectively against the satisfaction data. To reach a higher band, you must provide a clear summary statement that highlights the most significant trends (e.g., the high satisfaction with staff versus the mixed feelings regarding facilities) and ensure that comparisons between categories are more analytical rather than just descriptive.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into two paragraphs, which is appropriate for a short report. However, the progression of ideas is somewhat mechanical. You use basic cohesive devices like 'whereas' and 'along with', but the transition between the pie chart data and the table data is abrupt. The internal structure of the paragraphs is repetitive, relying heavily on listing statistics rather than grouping information logically. To improve, use a wider range of linking words and ensure that each paragraph has a clear focus, perhaps by grouping related data points rather than treating the two visual aids as entirely separate entities.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks variety and precision. You use basic terms like 'most people', 'some people', and 'fewer people' repeatedly. While you correctly use terms like 'satisfaction level' and 'categories', the range is limited. There are also minor errors in word choice, such as 'helpfullness' (spelling error) and 'there was about 8% people' (should be 'there were about 8% of people'). To achieve a higher band, incorporate more sophisticated vocabulary related to data description, such as 'the majority', 'a significant proportion', 'fluctuated', or 'remained consistent'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical inaccuracies, such as subject-verb agreement issues ('The pie chart and table demonstrates' should be 'demonstrate') and awkward phrasing ('other had mixed opinions' should be 'others had mixed opinions'). Punctuation is generally functional, but the sentence structure is somewhat repetitive. While the errors do not prevent the reader from understanding the information, they occur frequently enough to limit the score. Focus on ensuring subject-verb agreement and refining the use of articles and prepositions to improve overall accuracy.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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