Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-08-01

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

The charts below show the proportions of British students at one university in England who were able to speak other languages in addition to English, in 2000 and 2010

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

Student answer (Band 5.5)

The given pie charts compares the proportions of British students who could speak other languages in addition to English in 2000 and 2010.

Overall, the percentage of students who spoke no other language rise over the decade. While Spanish and French were the most common second language in 2000, there was important shift towards two languages by 2020.

In 2000, 30% of students spoke no other language. This figure rose 35% in 2010. Spanish was the most spoken language in 2000 at 20%. but it dip 10% in 2010. French and another languages spoken in 2000 at 15%. but in 2010 French dive at 10%. another language sour at 20

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which significantly impacts the development of the response. While you have identified the main features of the charts, the analysis is incomplete and lacks sufficient detail. For instance, you mention 'two languages' in the overview but do not elaborate on the data for this category. Furthermore, there is a factual error in the overview where you refer to '2020' instead of the '2010' provided in the prompt. To improve, ensure you cover all categories shown in the charts and provide a more thorough comparison of the data points.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is organized into an introduction, an overview, and a body paragraph, which provides a basic structure. However, the progression of ideas is hindered by the lack of length and some mechanical use of cohesive devices. Transitions between sentences are often abrupt, such as the start of the final paragraph. To improve, use a wider range of linking words (e.g., 'In contrast,' 'Furthermore,' 'Conversely') to connect your ideas more fluidly and ensure that each paragraph has a clear focus.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is somewhat limited and repetitive. You rely on basic verbs like 'rose,' 'dip,' and 'dive,' and there are errors in word choice and form, such as 'important shift' (should be 'an important shift') and 'another languages' (should be 'other languages'). The use of 'sour' is an incorrect word choice for describing a trend; 'soared' would be the correct term, though it is misspelled. To reach a higher band, focus on using more precise vocabulary to describe trends, such as 'fluctuated,' 'remained stable,' or 'experienced a decline.'

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

There are frequent grammatical errors throughout the text that occasionally impede clarity. Examples include subject-verb agreement issues ('The given pie charts compares'), missing articles ('rose 35%'), and incorrect verb tenses or forms ('it dip 10%', 'French dive at 10%'). The sentence structures are mostly simple, with limited attempts at complex sentences. To improve, focus on mastering basic subject-verb agreement and ensure that your verb tenses are consistent when describing past data. Proofreading for small errors like missing prepositions or articles will also help improve your score.

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