Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-09-06
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 illustrates the proportion of students in England who were able to speak other languages in contrast to English from 2000 to 2010.
overall, the figures of students who spoke no other languages increased and remains at a higher category in both years whereas, French and Spanish experienced a decline. Meanwhile, the proportions of speaking another two languages increased. While, German remained same.
In 2000,30 percent of British students could not speak other language making this the largest figure.Spanish was the second common category by 20 percent followed by French and other language that are accounted for 10 percent . Meanwhile, German and other two languages represented 10 percent of students.
By 2010, the proportion of the students who spoke no other language rose up to 35 percent presenting the highest category. Meanwhile, another language was accounted for the second highest. On the other hand, figure for Spanish were halved only by 10 percent followed by that French also showed a decline rate of 5 percent. German remained unchanged by 10 percent. Whereas, another language was accounted for increase in figure by 5 percent.
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 charts and provided relevant comparisons. You covered all categories (no language, Spanish, French, German, and others) for both years. However, the report lacks precision in data reporting. For instance, you mention 'another language was accounted for the second highest' without specifying the percentage, and the description of the decline in French and Spanish is slightly confusing. To reach a higher band, ensure that all data points mentioned are accurate and clearly linked to the specific year. The overview is present but could be more effectively integrated to highlight the most significant trends, such as the rise in students speaking no other language versus the decline in traditional language options.
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 'meanwhile', 'whereas', and 'on the other hand' to link ideas. However, the flow is occasionally hindered by mechanical phrasing, such as the repetitive use of 'accounted for' and 'meanwhile'. Additionally, some sentence transitions are abrupt, particularly the start of the second paragraph. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring that each paragraph has a clear thematic focus would enhance the overall coherence of your writing.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
Your vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, allowing you to describe the trends clearly. You use terms like 'proportion', 'category', and 'decline' appropriately. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'rose up to' (which is redundant) and 'decline rate of 5 percent' (which is slightly awkward). You also rely on a limited set of verbs to describe changes. To improve, try to incorporate more sophisticated vocabulary to describe trends, such as 'fluctuated', 'remained stable', or 'experienced a marginal decrease', and avoid repetitive phrasing.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
You demonstrate a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical errors, such as subject-verb agreement issues ('The given pie charts illustrates') and incorrect punctuation ('In 2000,30 percent'). Some sentences are also slightly awkward, such as 'figure for Spanish were halved only by 10 percent'. These errors do not impede communication, but they do occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. Focusing on proofreading for basic subject-verb agreement and ensuring correct spacing after commas will significantly improve your accuracy.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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