Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-25

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 the table illustrates gives information about the number of library users at a university of a survey.

In the overview, the pie chart shows the catagories of library users from highest to lowest in percentage. On the other hand the table shows, the library user satisfaction in very satisfied, fairly satisfied, and not satisfied.

Look at the pie chart, the full time undergraduate library users in 44%, therefore the full time postgraduate library users in 25%. However, the part time postgraduate library users in 16%. On the other hand, the distance learning (all couses) library users is 8%. The lowest is academic staff, the library users is 7%.

Turning to the next, the table shows library user satisfactiono. The library opening hours is very satisfied in 65%, fairly satisfied 35% and not satisfied 0%. On the other hand, the helpfulness of staff is very satisfied in 95%, fairly satisfied in 5% not satisfied 0%. Therefore, the availability of books is very satisfied in 50%, fairly satisfied in 40%, not satisfies 10%. In contrast, the availability of journals is very satisfied in 45%, fairly satisfied in 35% and not satisfied in 20%. The last user satisfaction is reliability, the users very satisfied in 48%, fairly satisfied in 33% and not satisfied in 19%.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You cover both visuals and report the main figures accurately: undergraduates are the largest user group at 44%, while academic staff are the smallest at 7%, and the satisfaction percentages are also correctly stated. This gives the response relevant coverage of the task. However, the overview mainly describes what each visual contains rather than summarising the most important findings. A stronger overview would highlight that staff helpfulness receives the highest satisfaction, with no dissatisfaction, while journals attract the greatest dissatisfaction. The response also lists each category in turn without drawing out comparisons across the satisfaction measures, so some features are less fully developed than others. Focus on the key contrasts, then use selected figures to support them.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall arrangement: it introduces the visuals, discusses the user categories, and then moves to satisfaction results. This makes the information easy to locate. However, progression within the paragraphs is often list-like, and linking phrases such as “On the other hand,” “Therefore,” and “In contrast” are sometimes used where no real contrast or consequence is being expressed. The repeated “the table shows” and “the users” also make the flow mechanical. Grouping the satisfaction results by pattern—for example, the strongest ratings first, followed by areas with more dissatisfaction—would create clearer comparisons. Use fewer, more precise transitions and make references between sentences explicit.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use enough task-related vocabulary to identify the groups and satisfaction categories, including “full-time undergraduate,” “availability of journals,” and “reliability of wi-fi.” The meaning is generally understandable, but the range is limited and several phrases are awkward or repetitive, such as “library users in 44%” and “very satisfied in 65%.” Spelling errors in “catagories,” “couses,” and “satisfactiono” also reduce accuracy. Aim for more natural reporting language, such as “accounted for 44%” and “65% were very satisfied,” and check spelling carefully. More varied verbs for describing proportions and comparisons would improve precision without making the report unnecessarily complex.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple statements and longer sentences, and the reader can usually understand the figures. However, sentence structures are often incomplete or inaccurately formed. For example, “the full time undergraduate library users in 44%” lacks a suitable verb, while “the library opening hours is very satisfied” incorrectly makes the service the subject of “satisfied.” The opening sentence also combines two verbs in “illustrates gives information,” and agreement is inconsistent in phrases such as “the distance learning … library users is 8%.” Use a consistent pattern such as “Undergraduates accounted for 44%” and “65% of respondents were very satisfied with the opening hours.” More accurate sentence patterns and controlled complex sentences are needed.

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