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 chart illustrates the results of a survey of library users at a university. It includes categories and rate of satisfaction of library users. Library users are those who visits the library.
It clearly shows the majority and minority data of visitors. Firstly, the full time undergraduates accounts for the largest population at 44%. Whereas, full time postagraduates is consist of 25% which is also a good percentage. But the rate of part time graduates is slight low as 16%. However, the percentage of online learning and academic staff represent 8% and 7% respectively.
As for the second table, 65% people are satisfied with the opening time and 35% are fairly satisfied and none are not satisfied. In terms of helpfulness of staff, almost everyone is satisifed only 5% are not happy and no one showed dissatisfaction. On the other hand, the satisfaction level of availability of books, journals and reliability of wifi has a proportion between 48 to 50%. While, the moderate acceptance level has a variance between 33 to 40%. Though, the result of dissatisfaction showed 10, 20 19% individually.
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 response successfully covers both parts of the visual data: the pie chart showing categories of library users and the table detailing satisfaction levels. Main features are identified, such as full-time undergraduates accounting for the largest share at 44%, and high satisfaction with library opening hours (65% very satisfied) and staff helpfulness (95% very satisfied). Comparisons are made between categories, such as online learning and academic staff representing 8% and 7% respectively. However, some figures are described loosely, and the overview could be more explicitly highlighted. Overall, all parts of the task are addressed adequately, fitting the criteria for Band 6.5 or a solid Band 6.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is logically organized with a clear division between the description of the pie chart and the table. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the two datasets. Cohesive devices are employed to link ideas, such as 'Firstly', 'Whereas', and 'On the other hand'. However, referencing and transitions can occasionally feel a bit mechanical or abrupt, particularly in the final paragraph where multiple statistics are listed in close succession ('Though, the result of dissatisfaction showed 10, 20 19% individually'). This demonstrates a coherent overall arrangement with minor flaws, aligning with Band 6.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for the task, incorporating terms such as 'illustrates', 'majority', 'minority', and 'proportion'. There are some noticeable lexical errors and awkward phrasing, such as 'full time postagraduates is consist of' (incorrect preposition/passive structure), 'rate of part time graduates is slight low' (should be slightly low), and 'moderate acceptance level'. Spelling errors like 'postagraduates' also occur. While communication is not impeded, these inaccuracies prevent the lexical score from reaching Band 7.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The text displays a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, including relative clauses and comparative structures ('Whereas, the full time postagraduates is consist of 25% which is also a good percentage'). However, there are frequent grammatical errors in verb forms, prepositions, and agreement, such as 'Library users are those who visits' (subject-verb agreement), '65% people are satisfied' (missing 'of'), and punctuation issues in the final sentence ('10, 20 19%'). Although these errors do not prevent comprehension, they are persistent enough to place the grammar in the Band 5.5 to 6 range.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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