Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-19
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 percentage of a survey of libraray at a university.
Overall, full-time undergrauates made the largest proportion of library user, whereas academic staff shows the smallest percentage. In terms of satisfaction, helpfullness of staff recieves the most postive response, while availibilty of journals illustrrates the highest level of dissatisfaction.
Full-time graduates represented the largest group of library users,accounting for 44% of the total. Full-time postgraduates students were the second largest group at 25%, while part-time post graduates made up further 16%. By comparison distance learning and academic staff represents 8% and 7% respectively.
Regarding that library user satisfaction, the helpfullness of staff recieved the most positive response with 95% of users being very satisfied and only 5% fairly satisfied. Libraray opening hours also recieved genrally postive feedback , as 65% were very satisfied and remaining 35% were fairly satisfied.
The availibiility of books, journals were 50% and 45% very satisfied, and 40% and 35% were fairly satisfied, and remaining 10% and 20% were not satisfied. The reliability of wifi were comparatively less satisfied. The satisfaction level was 48%, and 33% were fairly satisfied and remianing 19% were not satisfied.
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. They select key data points accurately, such as noting that full-time undergraduates represented the largest proportion at 44% and that staff helpfulness received the highest satisfaction rating at 95%. However, there is a slight contradiction and inaccuracy in the third paragraph where the student writes 'Full-time graduates represented the largest group of library users, accounting for 44% of the total. Full-time postgraduates students were the second largest group at 25%', which is slightly confusing regarding the categories, though the figures match the data. Overall, the response presents a clear overview and highlights relevant comparisons, satisfying the requirements for a Band 6.5 or 6.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response has a clear overall arrangement and is divided into appropriate paragraphs, separating the introduction, the pie chart details, and the table details. Cohesive devices are used to signal progression, such as 'Overall', 'In terms of satisfaction', and 'By comparison'. However, referencing and paragraph links are occasionally mechanical, and some sentences lack smooth flow. Paragraphing is used sufficiently to structure the essay, but logical progression falters slightly in places due to repetition of ideas. This performance aligns well with the Band 6 descriptors for cohesion and paragraphing.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully using terms like 'proportion', 'percentage', 'representation', and 'satisfaction'. However, there are numerous spelling and word-choice errors throughout the text, such as 'libraray' (library), 'undergrauates' (undergraduates), 'helpfullness' (helpfulness), 'recieves' (receives), 'availibilty' (availability), and 'illustrrates' (illustrates). While these errors do not impede communication, their frequency prevents the score from reaching a higher band. The lexical range is sufficient to convey the main points, but control over less common vocabulary is weak.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, utilizing relative clauses and comparative structures (e.g., 'while academic staff shows the smallest percentage', 'accounting for 44% of the total'). There are several grammatical errors and awkward phrasings, such as subject-verb agreement issues ('academic staff shows', 'distance learning and academic staff represents') and preposition misuse ('Regarding that library user satisfaction'). Punctuation is generally acceptable, and while errors are noticeable, they rarely impede overall communication. This corresponds closely to the Band 6 criteria for grammatical range and accuracy.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.