Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-23
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 both illustrates the outcome of a survey of library users at university level.
Overall, the most significant number of library users are full-time undergraduate students while academic staff was the lowest in terms of library usage. Consequently, the users satisfied considerably by the help of staff and dissatisfied by the availibility of journals.
To begin with, the highiest proportion of users are undergraduate at 44% and the lower users are the staff from academics. However, 25% users are from full-time postgraduate programs and 16% belonging part-time postgraduate courses. Additionally, students from distance learning taking part in all courses are the users with the the percentage of 8%.
On the other hand, students are very satisfied at 65%, with the opening hours and fairly satisfied 35%. Students are highly satisfied by the help of staff at 95% and fairly at 5%. Moreover, 50% of users satisfied with the books and 40% are fairly satisfies while 10% are the students who does not satisfied. However, theyare very satisfied with the reliability of wifi at 48% and fairly by 33% and not satisfied by 19%.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5
The student attempts to cover both the chart and the table, selecting main features such as the highest proportion of undergraduate users and staff satisfaction levels. However, there are some inaccuracies and omissions in reporting the data. For instance, the text states that 'students are very satisfied at 65% with the opening hours and fairly satisfied 35%', which is accurate, but misses details on other satisfaction metrics like journals and Wi-Fi. Additionally, the phrasing 'the lower users are the staff from academics' is slightly awkward. While a basic overview is provided and key comparisons are made, the development of ideas is limited, placing this response at Band 5.5.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The response is structured into four paragraphs, including an introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs dedicated to the chart and table respectively. However, the progression between ideas is sometimes mechanical or disjointed, as seen in transitions like 'To begin with' and 'On the other hand'. Cohesive devices are used, but referencing is occasionally unclear (e.g., 'the lower users are the staff' instead of 'the lowest proportion'). Paragraphing is present and logically separates the chart data from the table data, overall achieving a Band 6.0 level of coherence and cohesion.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully using terms such as 'proportion', 'survey', and 'satisfaction'. However, there are noticeable spelling and word-choice errors, such as 'highiest' instead of 'highest', 'availibility' instead of 'availability', and 'does not satisfied' instead of 'were not satisfied'. Less common vocabulary is attempted with some inaccuracy, which aligns closely with the Band 5 descriptors, although communication remains generally clear.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The response includes a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, such as 'Overall, the most significant number of library users are... while academic staff was...'. However, there are frequent grammatical errors in verb forms, prepositions, and sentence construction, including 'the users satisfied considerably by the help', 'students from distance learning taking part', and 'theyare very satisfied'. These errors occasionally cause difficulty for the reader and demonstrate limited control over complex structures, indicating a Band 5.0 performance.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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