Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-06

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 ILLUSTRATES THE RESULTS OF A SURVEY OF THE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY USERS.

OVERALL, FULL-TIME UNDERGRADUATE MADE UP BY FAR THE LARGEST SHARE OF LIBRARIES USERS,WHILE ACADEMIC STAFF MADE UP THE SMALLEST. USERS WERE MOSTLY SATISFIED WITH THE SERVICES , SATISFACTION WAS HIGHEST FOR HELPFULNESS OF STAFF AND LOWEST FOR AVAILABILITY OF JOURNALS.

IN THE PIE CHART, FULL-TIME UNDERGRADUATE WERE THE LARGEST USERS OF UNIVERSITY LIBRARY ACCOUNTED FOR 44 PERCENT. FOLLOWING BY FULL-TIME POSTGRADUATES AND PART-TIME POSTGRADUATES STOOD AT 25 PERCENT AND 16 PERCENT RESPECTIVELY. MOREOVER, DISTANCE LEARNING FOR ALL COURSES AS WELL AS ACADEMIC STAFF WERE THE LEAST USERS OF THE INSTITUTIONAL LIBRARY, BOTH RECORDED LESS THAN 10 PERCENT USERS IN A SURVEY.

ON THE OTHER HAND, THE TABLE PROVIDES DATA RELATED TO SATISFACTION OF LIBRARY USERS. IT IS SEEN THAT MOST OF THE USERS ARE VERY SATISFIED AND PEOPLE RATED MO

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, as it is incomplete and cuts off mid-sentence. While you successfully identify the main features of the pie chart, the analysis of the table is entirely absent due to the incomplete nature of the text. To improve, ensure you complete the summary of all provided data sets. The overview provided is clear, but the lack of completion significantly impacts your ability to cover all parts of the task effectively. You must manage your time to ensure a full conclusion or summary is reached within the word limit.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The response uses basic paragraphing to separate the chart and table data. There is some attempt at logical sequencing, using cohesive devices like 'Overall', 'In the pie chart', and 'On the other hand'. However, the flow is interrupted by the abrupt ending of the text. To reach a higher band, ensure that your ideas are fully developed within each paragraph and that you use a wider range of cohesive devices to link sentences and paragraphs more fluidly. The current structure is functional but mechanical.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'accounted for', 'respectively', and 'institutional library'. However, there are some errors in word choice and form, such as 'libraries users' (should be 'library users') and 'least users' (should be 'smallest group of users'). These errors do not impede communication, but they limit the precision of your writing. To improve, focus on accurate collocations and ensure you use the correct plural forms when describing groups of people.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as subject-verb agreement issues ('full-time undergraduate made up' should be 'undergraduates') and missing articles or incorrect prepositions ('in a survey' instead of 'in the survey'). While these errors are noticeable, they do not prevent the reader from understanding your main points. To improve, pay closer attention to pluralization and verb tense consistency throughout your report.

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

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