Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-04

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 illustrates the results of a survey of library users at a university . overall , full time undergraduate made up the largest proportion of library users. whereas academic staff accounted for smallest proportion . in terms of satisfaction, the staff were considered the most satisfaction aspect,. while the availability, of journals received the highest level of dissatisfaction. looking at the pie chart, full- time undergraduate represented the largest group of library users, ,at 44% full-time postgraduate at, 25%. while part-time postgraduate the made up 16% distance-learning students represented 8% of users, and academic staff had the smallest proportion at 8% . Redgarding, library satisfaction 95%of users were very satisfied with helpfulness of staff, and whereas fairly satisfied 5% and none w

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which significantly impacts the task achievement score. While you have identified the main features of the pie chart, the description of the table is incomplete and abruptly ends mid-sentence. You have failed to report on all categories of satisfaction provided in the data, leaving the summary unbalanced. To improve, ensure you cover all data points presented in the prompt and provide a more comprehensive overview that synthesizes the information rather than just listing figures. The lack of completion prevents a full analysis of the data.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organized into paragraphs, but the flow is hindered by frequent punctuation errors and erratic spacing. The use of cohesive devices is limited and often mechanical, such as the repetitive use of 'while' and 'at'. The abrupt ending of the final paragraph disrupts the logical progression of the text. To improve, focus on using a wider variety of linking words (e.g., 'in contrast', 'furthermore', 'consequently') and ensure that your sentences are clearly separated by standard punctuation rather than excessive spaces or missing periods.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks the precision required for a higher band. You rely on basic descriptors and struggle with word forms, such as 'most satisfaction aspect' instead of 'most satisfying aspect'. There are also issues with word choice, such as 'Redgarding' (spelling error) and 'none w' which is incomplete. To reach a higher band, you should incorporate more academic vocabulary related to data description, such as 'constitute', 'account for', 'a significant proportion', and 'fluctuate', while ensuring accurate spelling and word formation.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede readability. There are issues with subject-verb agreement ('full time undergraduate made up'), missing articles, and incorrect preposition usage. Punctuation is a major weakness, with commas placed incorrectly and sentences starting with lowercase letters. The sentence structures are mostly simple, and the attempt at complex structures is marred by errors. To improve, focus on basic sentence construction, correct use of articles, and consistent capitalization. Proofreading for punctuation and subject-verb agreement is essential to improve your accuracy.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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