Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-08-12

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)

According to given chart, There is great variability between different British students in term of speaking languages other than English. Besides they all are studying in University of England, I think its quite impressive to know about other different languages which make them to communicate and socialize with other people. Here is a survey about their spoken languages.

According to 2000 survey, 20 % of students in England university can speak Spanish ,15% can speak French and another language respectively. Additionally,10% can speak German and two other languages as well. In addition to this, 30% of students can not speak other language which means they only know about English which is almost higher percentage than any other language.

According to 2010 survey, 10% of students can speak both spanish and French respectively. 15% can speak two other languages. Moreover, 15% students can speak two other languages other than English. But there is 35% ratio of students who can just speak English which is higher percentage than in 2000.

In conclusion, during 2010 survey, there is 5% increment in students who can just speak English rather than other languages in 2000.

AI examiner evaluation

CriterionBand
Task Achievement / Task Response5.5
Coherence and Cohesion5.5
Lexical Resource5.5
Grammatical Range and Accuracy5.5
Overall5.5

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response addresses the task by summarizing the provided charts, but it lacks a clear overview of the main trends. While you mention specific percentages, the analysis is somewhat mechanical and lacks a synthesis of the data. For instance, you identify the percentage of students who speak only English, but you do not effectively compare the shifts between 2000 and 2010 in a way that highlights the most significant changes. To improve, ensure you provide a clear summary paragraph that captures the 'big picture' trends rather than just listing individual data points.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organized into paragraphs, which is a positive step. However, the logical progression is hindered by repetitive sentence structures and a lack of varied cohesive devices. Phrases like 'According to...' are used at the start of almost every paragraph, which makes the flow feel mechanical. While you use some linking words like 'Additionally' and 'Moreover', the connections between ideas could be smoother. To reach a higher band, try to vary your transition words and ensure that each paragraph has a clear, unified focus.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, but it is quite limited and repetitive. You rely heavily on basic terms like 'speak', 'languages', and 'percentage'. There is little evidence of less common lexical items or precise collocations. For example, instead of repeating 'can speak', you could use 'possess proficiency in' or 'are capable of communicating in'. Furthermore, there are some inaccuracies in word choice, such as '35% ratio of students', where 'proportion' would be more appropriate. Expanding your range of academic vocabulary will significantly improve your score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response contains a mix of simple and some complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Issues include missing articles ('in University of England'), incorrect verb forms ('can not speak other language'), and punctuation errors. The sentence 'Besides they all are studying in University of England' is grammatically awkward and unclear. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement, the correct use of articles, and ensuring that your complex sentences are constructed accurately. Proofreading for basic errors will help you achieve a higher score.

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