Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-08-17
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 and pie charts show the total visitors of the Ashdown museum. The first diagram shows the total visitors before renovation and the second shows the total visitors after renovation.
The visitors are divided in both the diagrams based on there reviews they are divided as very satisfied, satisfied, dissatisfied, very dissatisfied and no response. the total visitors are increased after refurbishment which are 92,000. Before refurbishment the number of visitors dissatisfied were in a large amount which was 40% of the total visitors which was also highest in the pie chart. Where the visitors satisfied are 10% less than the dissatisfied. The visitors who were very satisfied are 15% of the chart before refurbishment. the visitors who were dissatisfied are 10% of the chart. And the visitors with no reviews are 5% of the chart. After the refurbishment the visitors who are very satisfied have got a major increase in the pie chart which is 35%. the visitor who were satisfied were in creased by 10% in the chart. On the other hand there was a big decline in the visitors who were dissatisfied which is 15%. Where there is a 5% of decrease in the visitors who are very dissatisfied. Where there is no change to the number of visitors with no reviews.
Overall when we compare both the charts we observe that the museum got more negative reviews and less positive reviews before refurbishment. After refurbishment the museum's reviews improved at a large scale, where the visitors with no reviews remains the same
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main features of the data, including the increase in visitor numbers and the shift in satisfaction levels. However, the analysis is somewhat mechanical, focusing on listing percentages rather than synthesizing the information effectively. For instance, the statement 'the visitors who were dissatisfied are 10% of the chart' is repetitive and lacks analytical depth. While the main trends are identified, the comparison between the two years could be more sophisticated. To reach a higher band, you should focus on grouping data points to highlight significant trends rather than describing each category in isolation. The overview is present but could be more clearly integrated into the structure.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the progression of ideas. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat repetitive and occasionally mechanical. Phrases like 'the visitors who were' and 'in the chart' are used excessively, which affects the flow of the text. Additionally, some sentences are poorly linked, such as the abrupt transition between describing the 'very satisfied' and 'satisfied' categories. Improving the variety of linking words and using referencing more effectively (e.g., using pronouns or synonyms to avoid repeating 'visitors') would significantly enhance the coherence of your writing.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary used is adequate for the task but lacks the precision and variety required for a higher band. You rely heavily on basic terms like 'large amount', 'big decline', and 'major increase'. While these communicate the meaning, they do not demonstrate a wide range of lexical items. There are also some minor errors in word choice and collocation, such as 'got a major increase' and 'in creased' (spelling error). To improve, try to incorporate more academic vocabulary related to data description, such as 'significant surge', 'dramatic reduction', or 'remained stable'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally distract the reader. Examples include 'the visitors are divided in both the diagrams based on there reviews' (incorrect homophone 'there' instead of 'their') and 'the visitor who were satisfied were in creased'. Punctuation is also inconsistent, with some sentences starting with lowercase letters. While the meaning is generally clear, the frequency of these errors prevents the response from reaching a higher band. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and proofreading for basic spelling and punctuation errors will help improve your score.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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