Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-11-02
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 below illustrates the number of different categories of library users.
The library is mostly used by the full time under graduate students and least used by the academic staff of the university.
The chart shows that after the library mostly used by the bachelors students it us used by post grad students by 25% followed by part time postgraduate students where the percentage drop to 16% and the students enrolled in distant learning by 8% and least used by the academic staff.
The table depicts the satisfaction level by the library users which shows that most of the students are highly satisfied by the library's helpfulness staff and not a single student is dissatisfied . The highest students were not satisfied by the availability of the journals in the library . On the other hand , students are also satisfied by the library hours and least happy with the reliability of wifi.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5
You identify the main user group correctly: full-time undergraduates account for the largest share, while academic staff are the smallest. You also select relevant satisfaction findings, including the strong result for staff helpfulness and the comparatively high dissatisfaction with journals. However, several details are inaccurate or unclear: the 25% group is full-time postgraduate users, not simply “post grad students,” and the table shows that 35% are fairly satisfied with opening hours, rather than establishing that students are generally satisfied with them. The overview is also limited: it would be stronger if it clearly compared the user categories and summarised the overall satisfaction pattern, such as the high ratings for staff and opening hours versus weaker ratings for journals and wi-fi. Some key information is reported only vaguely.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The response follows the task’s two visual components in a sensible order: it first describes the pie chart and then turns to the satisfaction table. This gives the reader a basic structure, and phrases such as “On the other hand” signal a contrast. However, progression within the paragraphs is not always clear. The first chart description repeats the idea that the library is mostly used by undergraduates, and the long sentence beginning “The chart shows that…” strings several categories together without clear separation. The table paragraph also moves between helpfulness, journals, opening hours and wi-fi without a consistent comparison pattern. Use a concise overview followed by grouped details, and make references such as “the highest students” more explicit so the relationships are easy to follow.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
You use some relevant task vocabulary, including “categories,” “satisfaction level,” “availability,” and “reliability,” which helps communicate the subject. There is also an attempt to vary expressions with “followed by” and “On the other hand.” However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations are inaccurate or informal for a data report. “Bachelors students” is not a precise label for full-time undergraduates, while “highly satisfied by” and “least happy with” are less suitable than standard reporting language such as “very satisfied with” and “least satisfied with.” Repetition of “students” also obscures that the figures refer to library users, not necessarily only students. Aim for precise category names and consistent satisfaction terminology.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The response attempts both simple statements and longer sentences, and the main message is generally understandable. However, control is uneven, with frequent errors in sentence construction, agreement, articles and punctuation. For example, “it us used” contains a faulty verb form, and “the library mostly used by…” lacks the auxiliary needed for a complete passive construction. The phrase “most of the students are highly satisfied by the library's helpfulness staff” has an unclear grammatical relationship between the library, staff and satisfaction. Long sentences joined by “and” also make the category comparisons difficult to parse. Practise accurate passive forms and build shorter, complete sentences around each comparison; check articles, verb forms and comma spacing during editing.
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