Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-28

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 illutrates the categories of library users by their proportion and the table shows satisfaction of these library users.

Overall, it is clear that full-time undergraduate is the most popular user category among ther others,while majority of utilizers show positivity with the helpfulness of staff.The most interesting feature is that only two categories was on the top,which recieved no unsatisfaction by users.

In terms of users, 44% members spent most of time in library, who are full-time undergraduate,followed by 25% full-time postgraduate.While distance learning accounted for 8% which is half of part-time postgraduate with figure of 16%.Academic staff was on least with only 7%.

By constrast,users are the most satisfied by helpfulness of and library opening hours with figures of 95% and 65%

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the main user group accurately: full-time undergraduates make up 44%, followed by full-time postgraduates at 25%, and you also report the smaller groups. You begin an overview by noting the leading category and strong satisfaction with staff, but the overview is incomplete and includes an unclear claim that “only two categories” received no dissatisfaction; this applies to two satisfaction aspects, not user categories. The table is only partly covered: opening hours and staff helpfulness are mentioned, while books, journals and Wi-Fi are omitted, so the main satisfaction patterns are not adequately summarised. The response is also 25 words below the required minimum. To strengthen the report, include the remaining satisfaction results and compare the highest and lowest ratings clearly.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview and a paragraph about user proportions, followed by a brief comment on satisfaction. This gives the reader some direction, and phrases such as “followed by” and “By contrast” attempt to connect comparisons. However, the progression is weakened because the final paragraph stops abruptly and does not develop the table information. Some links are awkward or unclear, including “which is half of part-time postgraduate,” and the overview’s reference to “only two categories” is difficult to follow. Organise the body into a complete comparison of user groups and a separate, fuller account of satisfaction, using clear references and transitions between the figures.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some task-relevant vocabulary, including “categories,” “proportion,” “satisfaction,” and “accounted for,” and you attempt to vary wording with “followed by” and “By contrast.” However, several inaccurate or unnatural choices reduce precision: “utilizers” is unsuitable for library users, “spent most of time in library” is not supported by the chart, and “on least” does not express the smallest share naturally. There are also noticeable spelling errors, such as “illutrates,” “ther,” “recieved,” and “constrast.” Use standard chart language consistently, for example “accounted for the smallest proportion,” and check spelling and collocations before submitting.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple statements and more complex comparisons, for example “while distance learning accounted for 8%” and the clause beginning “who are full-time undergraduate.” These attempts show some range, but control is uneven. Agreement and number are problematic in “full-time undergraduate is the most popular user category” and “only two categories was”; the latter also has an unclear reference. Several sentences are joined or punctuated poorly, particularly the long sentence comparing distance learners and part-time postgraduates. Articles and sentence boundaries also need attention. Aim for shorter, complete comparisons with accurate subject–verb agreement, such as “Full-time undergraduates were the largest group, at 44%.”

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