Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-07

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 given pie chart shows distribution of the results of a survey conducted in a university library. Library is used by five different categories of user ; academic staff, full-time and part-time undergraduates and postgraduates, and distance learning users.

Overall, majority of the library users are full-time undergraduates, showing greater proportion of 44%. Full-time postgraduate comes at the second, showing 25% proportion on pie chart. Reason of these two score being the highest is that the students are full-time university students. They come daily to the university, so they use library the most. Part-time postgraduates lies at third with the percentage of 16%. Distant learning users and academic staff shows very similar proportion with a difference of only 1%. Distance learning scores 8% while academic staff shows a proportion size of 7%. Reason of these categories use library the least is that academic staff usually does not require learning through books and distance learning users are usually studying online, in this way they do not visit university very often.

Hence, most of the users are satisfy with the library. Some are dissatisfied due to unavailability of journals, and shortage of Wi-fi. Some also are not satisfy as they think books are still not available.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

You have successfully identified the main features of the chart, such as the highest and lowest categories. However, the task requires you to report on the information provided in the prompt. The final paragraph introduces information about user satisfaction (journals, Wi-Fi) which is not present in the provided image. This is a significant error as it introduces external information not supported by the data. To improve, ensure you only report the data shown in the visual aids. Additionally, avoid speculating on the reasons for the data (e.g., 'Reason of these two score being the highest'), as Task 1 requires objective reporting, not analysis or opinion.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and occasionally inaccurate, such as 'Hence' at the start of the final paragraph, which does not logically follow from the previous data description. Referencing is sometimes unclear, and the transition between the data description and the unsupported information in the final paragraph is abrupt. To improve, focus on using linking words that show clear relationships between the data points, such as 'In contrast' or 'Similarly', rather than relying on simple sequencing.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You have a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey the main points, such as 'distribution', 'proportion', and 'categories'. However, there are several errors in word choice and collocation that hinder precision, such as 'majority of the library users are' (should be 'the majority of'), 'comes at the second' (should be 'ranks second'), and 'are satisfy' (should be 'are satisfied'). The repetition of 'shows' and 'showing' throughout the text limits your ability to demonstrate a more sophisticated range of vocabulary. Try to vary your verbs and ensure correct grammatical forms of adjectives and nouns.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response contains a mix of simple and some complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Common issues include missing articles ('Library is used', 'on pie chart'), subject-verb agreement ('academic staff shows', 'users is'), and incorrect word forms ('Distant learning' instead of 'Distance learning'). While the meaning is generally understandable, these recurring errors prevent the text from reaching a higher band. Focus on proofreading for basic articles and ensuring that subjects and verbs agree in number.

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

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