Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-27
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 and table demonstrates proportion of a library users at educational institution in a survey and their satisfaction level.
Overall, proportion of full-time graduates is the most highest while the lowest proportion belongs to academic staff. Number of satisfied customers is greater than the number of fairly satisfied while not satified is lowest amomg all fields.
The percentage of full-time undergraduate library users is 44%, which is highest whereas academic staff is the lowest one with only 7% members of library. The second highest participation is of full-time postgraduate with 25%. Third place is secured by part-time postgraduate with 16%. Distance learning members are only 8%.
Additionally, library users satisfaction percentage about library opening hours 65% are very satisfied, 35% are fairly satisfied while no one is not satisfied. Next is helpfulness of staff 95% users are very satisfied, 5% are fairly satisfied, no one is not satisfied. Subsequently, in availability of books 50% are very satisfied, 40% are fairly satsified whereas 10% are dissatisfied. In availability of journals 45% are satisfied, 35% are fairly satisfied, 20% are not satisfied. Lastly, in reliability of wi-fi 48% are very satisfied, 33% are fairly satisfied while 19% are dissatisfied.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5
The response covers all parts of the task by reporting the main features from both the pie chart and the table. The overview touches upon the highest and lowest categories as well as satisfaction levels, though the phrasing is slightly awkward ("most highest" and "not satified"). Key data points are accurately reported, such as 44% for full-time undergraduates and 95% for staff helpfulness. However, the overview is somewhat simplistic, and the reporting of the table data tends to list figures mechanically rather than fully synthesising or grouping the trends. To reach a higher band, the overview should offer a more comprehensive summary of the main visual trends, and the comparisons could be more developed. Overall, all parts are addressed competently.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0
The response is organised into logical paragraphs, with the first paragraph introducing the topic and overview, the second detailing the pie chart, and the final paragraph covering the table data. However, progression is sometimes hindered by mechanical and repetitive phrasing when introducing new data points, such as "Additionally," "Next is," and "Subsequently." Reference and cohesive devices are functional but lack flexibility and smooth integration. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the two distinct visual sources, but overall cohesion feels somewhat disjointed due to the lack of varied linking words and sentence transitions.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
The student demonstrates an adequate vocabulary for the task, attempting some less common items such as "proportion," "participation," and "reliability." However, there are notable spelling errors ("satified," "amomg," "satsified") and inaccuracies in word choice and grammar, such as "demonstrates proportion of a library users" and "the most highest." While the vocabulary is sufficient to convey the general meaning, these lexical and spelling errors prevent the response from achieving a higher score. More precise collocation and careful proofreading would improve this criterion.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but control over grammar is inconsistent. There are several noticeable grammatical errors, such as missing articles ("demonstrates proportion of a library users"), subject-verb agreement issues ("proportion of full-time graduates is"), and awkward phrasing ("library users satisfaction percentage about library opening hours 65% are very satisfied"). While these errors do not completely impede communication, they occur frequently enough to pull the score down into the Band 5.5 to 6.0 range. A wider range of error-free complex sentences and better management of punctuation are needed.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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