Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-16
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 charts shows the proportion multiple categories of library users, while the table illustrates the prcentage of satisfaction level of library users who are using the facilities of library.
Overall, the majority of library users are comprised by full-time undergraduate, full-time and part-time post graduate which almost cover the whole pie chart. In the table, almost all the users are fully satisfied with the facilities, however some of these are fairly satisfied.
In the pie chart, Ful-time undergraduate have the highest percentage, with 44%. Full-time postgraduate takes the second highest place, with 25% followed by part-time postgraduate accounted for 16%. Last two categories distance learning and academic staff shared the least proportion evenly, with 8% and 7% respectively.
In the table, library users are very satisfied with library opening hours and also the helpfulness of the staff, with 95% and 65% respectively. In availability of books and journal users are very satisfied almost 50% and failrly satisfied almost 40% each . In the end users are not satisfied with library wifi with 48%,33% and 19%.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The student covers all parts of the task by reporting the main features of both the pie chart and the table. An overview is attempted, noting the dominant user categories and general satisfaction trends, though it contains minor inaccuracies. In the body paragraphs, key data points are selected and compared, such as full-time undergraduates accounting for the highest proportion at 44% and library opening hours receiving 65% very satisfied ratings. However, there are some misinterpretations of the data, notably in the final paragraph where the figures 65% and 95% are swapped for opening hours and staff helpfulness, and the Wi-Fi statistics are confused. While the response meets the minimum length requirement, these data misreadings prevent it from reaching a higher band. Overall, it satisfies the requirements for a Band 6.0.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is organized into four paragraphs, providing a logical progression from an introduction to an overview and two detail body paragraphs. Cohesive devices are used to link ideas, such as 'Overall', 'In the pie chart', and 'In the table'. However, some referencing is faulty or mechanical, and the paragraphing of the data is occasionally disjointed. For instance, the transition between ideas in the final sentence regarding Wi-Fi is confusingly structured as 'with 48%,33% and 19%' without clear connection to the satisfaction categories. Paragraphing is used sufficiently to structure the report, but the overall progression and internal cohesion within paragraphs need tighter control. This performance aligns well with the Band 6 descriptors.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, attempting less common terms such as 'proportion', 'illustrates', 'percentage', and 'categories'. However, there are several lexical errors and awkward word choices, such as 'the proportion multiple categories', 'prcentage', and 'comprised by full-time undergraduate'. There are also spelling errors like 'failrly'. While the student manages to communicate the main points, the frequent inaccuracies in word choice, spelling, and collocation prevent the lexical score from reaching Band 7. The vocabulary is minimally sufficient for Academic Task 1, earning a solid Band 5.5.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, such as 'The pie charts shows the proportion multiple categories of library users, while the table illustrates the prcentage...' Grammatical errors are noticeable throughout the text, including subject-verb agreement issues ('The pie charts shows', 'Ful-time undergraduate have'), missing prepositions ('in availability of books and journal users'), and punctuation errors. However, these errors rarely impede overall communication, as the reader can still understand the intended meaning. The control of grammar is inconsistent, reflecting the characteristics of a Band 5.5 performance where complex structures are attempted but frequently contain errors.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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