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 drawing represent the proportions of British students who were able to speak other languages than English in the years of 2000 and 2010 .
First of all , we can see that in 2000 most of the students were able to speak only one language, and only 15 % of them had the ability to speak another language.
Second of all , the proportion of the students who were able to speak only French or German or Spanish was 45% .
In 2010 , we see a noticeable develop in the proportion of the students who were able to speak another language and those who were able to speak two other languages which signify the cultural diversity in the British university.
In the same time the amount of students with no ability to speak other languages increases, and the the students who were able to speak only French or German or Spanish was in total 30% .
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 covers the main features of the charts, but the analysis is somewhat superficial. While you identify key trends, the data interpretation is inconsistent. For instance, you mention that the proportion of students speaking only one language was 45% in 2000, but the chart indicates this refers to the 'only French, German or Spanish' category. Furthermore, the description of the 2010 data is slightly confusing, particularly regarding the 'no ability' category, which appears to decrease rather than increase. To reach a higher band, ensure that data points are accurately transcribed and that comparisons between the two years are more clearly articulated to highlight the shifts in language proficiency.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is organised into short paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and repetitive, such as the use of 'First of all' and 'Second of all'. The transition between ideas is sometimes abrupt, and the logical progression could be improved by using a wider variety of linking words to connect the data points more fluidly. Paragraphing is present, but the internal structure of the paragraphs lacks the sophistication required for higher bands. Improving the variety of transition signals will help create a more cohesive flow.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks the precision and range expected at higher levels. You rely on basic phrasing such as 'the drawing represent' (which should be 'charts show') and 'noticeable develop' (which should be 'development'). There is also some repetition of simple structures. To improve, try to incorporate more academic collocations and precise terminology related to data description, such as 'a significant increase', 'a decline', or 'remained stable'. Expanding your range of vocabulary will allow you to describe the trends with greater accuracy and sophistication.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Examples include 'The drawing represent' (subject-verb agreement), 'in the years of 2000' (incorrect preposition usage), and 'the the students' (repetition error). Additionally, the use of articles and verb tenses needs more attention to ensure accuracy. While the meaning is generally understandable, the frequency of these errors prevents the writing from achieving a higher score. Focusing on proofreading for basic subject-verb agreement and article usage will significantly improve your accuracy.
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.