Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-09-06

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)

Museum is a place where we can see the preserved things which are either old or getting extinct in the near future. Ashdown museum is a place which was refurbished due to its old infrastructure. Refurbishment is necessary to maintain the property well and preserve the museum.

Before the refurbishment of the museum the total number of visitors to Ashdown museum during the year before the refurbishment was accounted as 74,000. Whereas the total number of visitors during the year after the refurbishment was accounted as 92,000 which around 18000 increased then the earlier. The results of surveys of visitors satisfied showed that in the year before refurbishment the percentage of very satisfied people was about 15% which less than the ones who were dissatisfied about 40%, while the percentage of very satisfied people after the refurbishment of the Ashdown museum was seen as increased percentage of very satisfied population who visited as 35% and dissatisfied as 15%. Hence proved that the refurbishment was necessary to be done.

Ashdown museum is to be making more improvements further to keep the public more engaged by keeping the properties inside and outside the museum safe, clean and protected.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

You have successfully identified the main features of the data, including the increase in visitor numbers and the shift in satisfaction levels. However, the response includes unnecessary introductory and concluding paragraphs that do not relate to the data provided. In IELTS Academic Task 1, you should avoid personal opinions or general knowledge about museums, such as your comments on why refurbishment is necessary or future improvements. Instead, focus entirely on reporting and comparing the data. While you covered the key trends, the inclusion of irrelevant information prevents the response from being fully focused on the task requirements.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is organized into paragraphs, but the logical flow is hindered by the inclusion of non-data-related content. The use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical, such as 'Whereas' and 'Hence proved that'. While the progression of ideas within the data-focused paragraph is generally clear, the overall structure is weakened by the introduction and conclusion, which do not serve the purpose of summarizing the provided charts. To improve, ensure that every sentence directly relates to the information presented in the visual aids and use a wider variety of linking words to connect comparisons more fluidly.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary used is adequate for the task but lacks the precision and range required for a higher band. You rely on repetitive phrasing such as 'percentage of very satisfied people' and 'refurbishment of the Ashdown museum'. There are also some awkward collocations, such as 'accounted as' and 'increased percentage of very satisfied population'. To achieve a higher score, try to use more varied reporting verbs and nouns related to data analysis, such as 'witnessed a rise', 'proportion', or 'figures'. Avoid repeating the same words in close proximity.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

You demonstrate a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally affect clarity. For example, 'which around 18000 increased then the earlier' is grammatically incorrect and confusing. Other issues include 'the percentage of very satisfied people was about 15% which less than the ones who were dissatisfied', which lacks a verb. While the meaning is generally understandable, the frequency of these errors limits the score. Focus on ensuring that every sentence has a clear subject and verb, and practice using comparative structures correctly.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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