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 table chart illustrates the survey result of library users at a university. And provide information about different categories.
Overall, in terms of five categories of library users ,
the full time undergraduate students made up the largest portion of library users , while the academic staff is the smallest portion of library users.
According to the pie chart , the full time undergraduate library users is 44% . The full time postgraduate library users is 25%. followed by part time postgraduate is 16% . In comparison , distance learning and academic staff are the smallest portion is 8% and 7% respectively.
The table show that the helpfulness of staff had the highest level of satisfaction , with 95% of users being very satisfied but only 5% fairy satisfied
library opening hours also receive a high satisfaction rate with 65% very satisfied and the 35% fairy satisfied
Regarding the availability of books , 50% were satisfied and 35% fairy satisfied but only 10% were not satisfied
Finally , satisfaction with journals and wifi was comparatively lower. for journals , 45% were very satisfied and 35% were fairy satisfied but also 20% were not satisfied . The corresponding figures for wifi is 48% , 33% and 19 % were not satisfied
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0
The response covers all parts of the task by summarizing the pie chart and the table. You successfully identified the main features, such as the largest and smallest user groups and the satisfaction levels for various services. However, the overview is somewhat weak; it lacks a clear synthesis of the data. For instance, you could have noted that while staff helpfulness was highly rated, resources like journals and Wi-Fi received lower satisfaction scores. The data is generally accurate, though the reporting of percentages is slightly repetitive. To reach a higher band, ensure the overview highlights the most significant trends rather than just listing facts.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the information. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and repetitive (e.g., 'The table show that', 'Finally', 'Regarding'). There are also issues with sentence-level cohesion; some sentences are fragmented or lack smooth transitions. For example, the transition between the pie chart data and the table data is abrupt. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring that each paragraph has a clear topic sentence would significantly enhance the flow of your writing.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'portion', 'respectively', and 'satisfaction rate'. However, there are several spelling errors, such as 'fairy' instead of 'fairly', and some awkward phrasing, such as 'The table chart illustrates'. The vocabulary is functional but lacks the precision and variety required for a higher band. To improve, focus on using more sophisticated collocations and ensure you proofread for common spelling mistakes. Using synonyms for 'satisfied' or 'portion' would also help demonstrate a wider lexical range.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally distract the reader. Common issues include subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'The table show that', 'the academic staff is the smallest') and missing articles or incorrect verb forms. Punctuation is also inconsistent, with some sentences lacking proper terminal punctuation or using commas incorrectly. While the meaning is generally clear, the frequency of these errors prevents the response from reaching a higher band. Focus on subject-verb agreement and consistent tense usage.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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