Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-09
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 bar chart, pie chart, and table provide information about a public library in a town called Little Chalfont. The chart shows the total number of loans from 2007 to 2016. Whereas the pie chart shows the age of the library members in 2016, the table provides categories of loans taken. The pie chart shows the age of library members in 2016. The largest proportion is adults aged 18-64, while the smallest proportion is children. The smallest age group is young adults aged 13-17 and adults aged 65 and over. The table shows total loans by category; the highest number is children's fiction, and adult fiction remains stable. Children's DVDs are the lowest at 1%, compared with other categories; adult nonfiction is the second-highest at 13%. while childrens nonfiction is 6%. Young adults and adult audio books 2%. The chart provides information on the total number of loans from 2007 to 2006. 2016 is the highest, while 2007 is the lowest.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main features of the data, but the analysis is somewhat superficial. While you identify the largest and smallest groups, the comparison between categories in the table is disjointed and lacks a clear overview. You mention the chart shows data from 2007 to 2016, but you repeat this information twice, which is redundant. Furthermore, there is a factual error in the final sentence where you write '2007 to 2006'. To improve, ensure you group related data points logically rather than listing them in a fragmented manner, and provide a more cohesive summary of the trends observed across the provided visual aids.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The response lacks effective paragraphing, appearing as a single block of text. This makes it difficult for the reader to follow the progression of information. While you use some cohesive devices like 'while' and 'compared with', the flow is often mechanical and repetitive. For example, you start multiple sentences with 'The pie chart shows...' or 'The table shows...'. To reach a higher band, you should organize your report into distinct paragraphs—one for an overview and others for specific details—and use a wider variety of linking words to connect your ideas more fluidly.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
Your vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, but it is quite repetitive. You rely heavily on basic verbs like 'shows' and 'is'. There is also a lack of precision in describing the data; for instance, 'children's DVDs are the lowest at 1%' is clear, but the sentence 'Young adults and adult audio books 2%' is grammatically incomplete and lacks a verb. To improve, try to incorporate more varied reporting verbs (e.g., 'illustrates', 'depicts', 'accounts for') and use more sophisticated descriptors for trends and proportions, such as 'the vast majority' or 'a marginal percentage'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains several grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. There are issues with sentence structure, such as the fragment 'Young adults and adult audio books 2%'. You also have punctuation errors, such as the misuse of periods and capitalization (e.g., 'while childrens nonfiction is 6%'). While you attempt some complex sentences, they are often marred by errors in subject-verb agreement or missing articles. To improve, focus on ensuring every sentence has a clear subject and verb, and pay closer attention to basic punctuation and the correct use of apostrophes for possessives.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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