Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-09-11
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 mix chart describes the numbers of Ashdown Museum visitors and the result of surveys asking them how happy they were with their visit before and after it was re-created.
Overall, the number of visitors to Ashdown Museum were below before refurbishment, while increased after the re-creation. Furthermore, there were less satisfied visitors and more dissatisfied before re-creation, while more happy and less dis-happy visitors after re-creation.
To begin, there were 74,000 visitors before the refurbishment of the Ashdown Museum but when the refurbishment was made, this number was increased greatly and the total number of visitors were increased by 18,000 visitors which were 92,000 visitors attended the Museum after a year.
On the other hand, there were only 15 visitors which were totally happy with the visit of the Museum. This number was increased and the totally satisfied visitors became 35 wen the refurbishment is made. Furthermore, satisfied visitors were 30 before the re-creation but became 40 after it. Largest difference was also seen in the number of dissatisfied visitors which were 40 before the refurbishment but became only 15 when the refurbishment was made. There was no difference in the numbers of visitors which gave no response.
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
You have successfully identified the main features of the data, including the overall increase in visitor numbers and the shift in satisfaction levels. You provided a clear overview and supported your points with specific figures from the table and charts. However, to reach a higher band, ensure you avoid repeating the same phrasing (e.g., 'before the refurbishment' and 'after the refurbishment' are used repeatedly). Additionally, ensure your data reporting is precise; for instance, you mention '15 visitors' were happy, but the chart indicates these are percentages. Distinguishing between raw numbers and percentages is crucial for accuracy in Task 1.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is logically organized into an introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs. You use some cohesive devices such as 'Furthermore', 'To begin', and 'On the other hand' to link ideas. However, the flow is sometimes mechanical, and the referencing is occasionally unclear. For example, the transition between the visitor numbers and the satisfaction survey results could be smoother. Paragraphing is used appropriately, but the internal structure of the paragraphs could benefit from more varied linking words to avoid a repetitive feel.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
Your vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, but it lacks the precision and variety required for a higher band. You rely heavily on basic terms like 'happy', 'dissatisfied', and 're-created'. Using 're-created' is also inaccurate in this context; 'refurbished' or 'renovated' would be more appropriate. There are also some awkward collocations, such as 'dis-happy', which is not standard English. To improve, focus on using more academic synonyms and precise terminology related to data description, such as 'proportion', 'significant increase', or 'marked shift'.
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 hinder clarity. Examples include 'the number of visitors... were below' (subject-verb agreement error), 'when the refurbishment was made' (passive voice misuse), and '15 visitors which were totally happy' (incorrect relative pronoun usage). While these errors do not completely impede communication, they are frequent enough to lower the score. Focus on subject-verb agreement and using the correct tense when describing past data.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.