Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-08-05
IELTS Writing Task 1 question
The table below shows the numbers of visitors to Ashdown Museum during the year before and the year after it was refurbished. The charts show the result of surveys asking visitors how satisfied they were with their visit, during the same two periods.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Student answer (Band 5.5)
The given table chart illustrates the total proportion of visitors to Ashdown Museum during the year before and after the reconstruction while the pie chart depicts the results of surveys of the visitors satisfaction before and after refurbishment.
Overall, the number of people visiting the Ashdown Museum after the reconstruction rose by 18,000. Moreover, the pie chart provides the result of the survey divided among five categories given by the visitors.
From the survey, in the year before the refurbishment, almost 40% of the people were dissatisfied which showed a change in proportion as after the redevelopment, 40% people were satisfied according to the survey. Meanwhile no change was observed as the proportion remained the same by 5% for the people giving no response. The percentage of people who were very satisfied climbed by 20% while the proportion of the people who were very dissatisfied declined by 5% after the rebuilt.
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 addresses the task by summarizing the main features of the table and pie charts. However, the analysis is somewhat superficial. While you correctly identify the rise in visitor numbers and some survey trends, you fail to provide a comprehensive overview of all data points. For instance, the 'satisfied' category is mentioned, but other categories like 'neutral' or 'dissatisfied' are not fully integrated into a clear comparative narrative. To reach a higher band, ensure you report all significant data trends and make more precise comparisons between the two periods rather than just listing isolated changes.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, with an introduction, an overview, and a body paragraph. Cohesive devices such as 'Moreover', 'Meanwhile', and 'From the survey' are used to link ideas. However, the progression of ideas within the body paragraph is slightly mechanical. The transition between the table data and the pie chart data could be smoother. The use of referencing is generally clear, but the overall flow would benefit from more sophisticated linking words to connect the contrasting data sets more effectively.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'reconstruction', 'redevelopment', and 'proportion'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'remained the same by 5%' (which is awkward phrasing) and 'after the rebuilt' (where 'rebuild' or 'refurbishment' would be more appropriate). The vocabulary is sufficient to convey meaning, but it lacks the precision and variety required for a higher band score. Expanding your repertoire of reporting verbs and comparative adjectives would be beneficial.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical errors, such as '40% people were satisfied' (missing 'of') and 'remained the same by 5%' (incorrect preposition usage). Additionally, the phrase 'the proportion remained the same by 5%' is grammatically confusing. While these errors do not impede communication, they indicate a need for better control over sentence construction and prepositional phrases. Increasing the frequency of error-free complex sentences will help improve this score.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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