Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-24
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 illustrates the proportion of survey in university by library users.
Overall, full time undergraduate accounted for highest proportion who took part in a survey, full time postgraduate ranked second highest who participate in a survey, while part time, distance learning (all courses) and academic staff had the lowest figures in survey satisfaction.
Looking at the first, Undergraduate had the highest figures or proportion with 44% in total who took survey, full time postgraduate with second highest percentage of 25%, while part time postgraduate were only 16%, In contrast, distance learning and academic staff with lowest figures of 7% and 8%.
On the other hand, started with categories, all users were very satisfied from library opening hours with 65% and fairly satisfied 35%, there is no one who not satisfied, helpfulness of staff accounted for highest proportion with 95% very satisfied, onlly 5% fairly satisfied and not satisfied had the same figures with zero, while they very satisfied of availability of books with around 50%, fairly satisfied 40% but in this section some users were not satisfied of around 10%, Availaibity of journals had 45% very satisfied users, 35% fairly satisfied and 20% with not satisfied with lowest figures of satisfaction, whereas, reliability of wi-fi got 48% in very satisfied, 33% with fairly satisfied and lastly 19% with not satisfied.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0
The student successfully covers both parts of the prompt, reporting the categories of library users and the satisfaction percentages across different areas. An overview is attempted in the second paragraph, identifying the highest and lowest groups, although it incorrectly labels the chart's participation data as 'survey satisfaction'. Main features and comparisons are generally highlighted, such as full-time undergraduates accounting for the highest proportion at 44% and academic staff having the lowest at 7%. Data points from the table are also accurately reported, such as opening hours satisfaction at 65% very satisfied. However, some minor inaccuracies in summarising group titles occur, and the overview could be more clearly distinguished from detailed body data. Overall, the response addresses all parts of the task adequately, earning a Band 6.0.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The response is arranged with an introduction, an overview, and separate body paragraphs for the chart and table data, giving it a coherent overall structure. However, paragraphing and logical progression are sometimes hindered by run-on sentences and weak cohesive devices. For instance, the transition 'On the other hand, started with categories...' is awkward and mechanically executed. Referencing is occasionally unclear, such as ambiguous pronoun use ('while they very satisfied'). Cohesive devices are overused or used inaccurately to link disparate clauses, leading to choppy reading. Paragraphing is present but could be managed more effectively to separate distinct visual datasets. These issues place the response firmly in Band 5.5.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully incorporating terms like 'proportion', 'percentage', 'category', and percentages such as '44%' and '25%'. However, there are frequent word-choice and collocation errors that detract from precision, such as writing 'survey satisfaction' when referring to participation numbers, or 'while they very satisfied of availability of books'. Spelling is generally acceptable, but expressions like 'full time undergraduate' lack hyphens and formal academic phrasing. Less common vocabulary is attempted with limited success, resulting in occasional strain for the reader. This performance aligns with the Band 5.5 descriptors.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, but control over grammar is inconsistent. There are frequent grammatical errors, particularly missing verbs, faulty relative clauses, and incorrect prepositions (e.g., 'distance learning and academic staff with lowest figures', 'satisfied from library opening hours', 'satisfied of around 10%'). Punctuation is also weak, with comma splices connecting independent clauses throughout the body paragraphs. While meaning is generally conveyed despite these errors, the high frequency of inaccurate complex structures prevents the score from reaching Band 6.0, placing it at Band 5.0.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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