Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-08-28
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 pe chart illustrates the proportions of British students at one university in England who were able to speak other language in addition to English in 2000 and 2010.
Overall, English is the most used language in both years while other languages had a significant changes in a decade . While the Spanish speaking decreased by 10% with increase in German speaking.
In 2000, English was the most used language that is 30% and the second most spoken language is Spanish with 20%. However, another language and French is equally spoken by 15% in addition, two other language with German is also spoken equally that is 10 %.
Consequently, in 2010 British speaking was most spoken by 35% but the second most language used was another language by 20% and two other language was spoken by 15% . Although Spanish, French and german was equally spoke that is 10%.
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 addresses the task by identifying the main features of the charts. However, the analysis is somewhat superficial and contains inaccuracies in data interpretation. For instance, the student states that English was 30% in 2000 and 35% in 2010, but the charts actually show 'English' as a category for students who speak *other* languages, not the total percentage of English speakers. Furthermore, the claim that Spanish decreased by 10% while German increased is not clearly supported by the data provided. The overview is present but lacks the precision required for a higher band score. To improve, ensure you carefully distinguish between the categories and accurately reflect the numerical data.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is organized into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and occasionally awkward, such as the use of 'Consequently' to introduce the 2010 data, which does not logically follow from the previous paragraph. Referencing is sometimes unclear, particularly when describing the categories (e.g., 'two other language'). While the progression of ideas is generally logical, the lack of sophisticated linking words and the repetitive sentence structure limit the flow of the essay.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks variety and precision. There are several instances of word-choice errors and awkward phrasing, such as 'British speaking was most spoken' and 'equally spoke'. The range of vocabulary is limited, relying heavily on basic descriptors. To reach a higher band, you should aim to use more precise terminology for describing trends and proportions, such as 'accounted for', 'constituted', or 'a marginal increase'. Additionally, ensure that you use the correct word forms (e.g., 'German' instead of 'german').
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. Examples include subject-verb agreement issues ('other languages had a significant changes') and incorrect prepositional usage. Punctuation is also inconsistent, with unnecessary spaces before punctuation marks. While the meaning is generally conveyed, the high frequency of errors in basic grammar and sentence construction prevents the response from reaching a higher band. Focusing on proofreading for subject-verb agreement and article usage would be highly beneficial.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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