Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-18
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 chart and table illustrate the results of the library students and other academic staff survey at a university.
Overall, the chart shows the percentage of library users in various categories such as full-time graduate, part-time graduate and academic staff. The table shows the user satisfaction in percentage in different sections.
In the pie chart, the highest usage is 44% that is used by full-time undergraduate learners in the higher education department and it was a dominant contribution. After that, quarter of library users were full-time postgraduates which were 25%. While 16% students contributed in library that were part-time postgraduate students. Also 8% and 7% users were distance learning and academic staff almost same as the participate in the library.
In the table, the satisfaction level about the library opening hours and helpfulness of staff is higher in satisfied category that is 65% and 95% respectively and fairly satisfied category is much lower than very satisfied group. Availability of books, availability of journals as well as reliability of WI-FI are higher in satisfaction level than fairly satisfied students of the university. But the ratio of dissatisfied students is much lower.
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 provided, and key data points are highlighted, such as the highest category (full-time undergraduates at 44%) and the satisfaction ratings (e.g., 95% for helpfulness of staff). Comparisons are attempted, such as contrasting very satisfied and fairly satisfied categories. However, there are some slight inaccuracies in phrasing and minor data interpretations, such as describing academic staff and distance learners as 'almost same as the participate'. Despite minor lapses, the main trends and data sets are adequately summarized and presented, meeting the requirements for a Band 6.0.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is structured into distinct paragraphs, including an introduction, an overview, a body paragraph for the chart, and a body paragraph for the table, establishing a clear overall arrangement. Cohesive devices are used to guide the reader through the data, such as 'Overall', 'In the pie chart', and 'In the table'. However, referencing and transitions are at times mechanical or slightly awkward, such as 'After that, quarter of library users...' and 'Also 8% and 7% users were distance learning and academic staff almost same as the participate in the library.' Paragraphing is used appropriately, but logical progression within paragraphs could be smoother to reach a higher band level.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, attempting some less common vocabulary items such as 'dominant contribution', 'satisfaction level', and 'ratio of dissatisfied students'. However, there are noticeable word choice and collocation inaccuracies throughout the text, such as 'library students and other academic staff survey', 'quarter of library users were full-time postgraduates which were 25%', and 'higher in satisfied category that is 65%'. Spelling is generally accurate, but awkward phrasing and imprecise lexical choices occasionally cause minor stumbling for the reader, placing the response firmly in the Band 6 range.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response displays a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating attempts at relative clauses ('which were 25%', 'that were part-time postgraduate students') and passive constructions ('is used by', 'is higher in satisfied category'). However, there are several grammatical errors and awkward structures, such as missing articles ('quarter of library users', 'highest usage is 44% that is used'), tense inconsistencies, and clunky phrasing ('distance learning and academic staff almost same as the participate in the library'). While these errors do not impede overall communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent the response from achieving a Band 7.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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