Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-08-19
IELTS Writing Task 1 question
The chart below shows the results of a survey about people’s coffee and tea buying and drinking habits in five Australian cities.
Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Student answer (Band 5.5)
The given horizontal column graph depicts the results of a survey about people's coffee and tea buying and drinking habits in five Australian cities. The data has been calibrated into percentile.
Overall, it is crystal clear that the highest value recorded by people who went to cafe for drinking coffee and tea was in Hobart however, the lowest ratio of masses was in Adelaide in the given period of time.
At a fleeting glance, in Sydney the highest proportion residents bought fresh coffee in last 4 weeks which was around 61% which followed by instant coffee in last 4 weeks were 45%. People went to a cafe for tea or coffee was 44% of residents. In both Melbourne and Brisbane the percentage in buying fresh coffee did not surpass by 42% while in Melbourne 47% of city residents purchase instant coffee which gradually incline to 53% in Brisbane. People went to cafe in Melbourne was 62% approximately which surprisingly jump down to 55% in Brisbane.
Moving further, in Adelaide the ratio in both bought instant coffee and went to cafe for coffee or tea was almost similar around 50%. While only 34% of city residents buy fresh coffee in last 4 weeks. Lastly, in Hobart 36% pf people went to cafe for coffee or tea and about 54% were in fresh coffee in last 4 weeks.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers all parts of the task and identifies key features. You have successfully compared data across the five cities. However, there are some inaccuracies in the data reporting. For instance, you state that the highest value for visiting a cafe was in Hobart, whereas the chart shows Melbourne has the highest figure. Additionally, your description of the data in Hobart is slightly confusing regarding the categories. To improve, ensure you double-check the data points against the visual aid to avoid misinterpretation. The overview is present but could be more precise by highlighting the most significant trends rather than just mentioning the highest and lowest values.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The response is logically organized into paragraphs, and there is a clear progression of ideas. You use some cohesive devices such as 'Overall', 'At a fleeting glance', and 'Moving further' to guide the reader. However, some transitions feel slightly mechanical or unnatural, such as 'At a fleeting glance'. The referencing is generally clear, though the flow between sentences within paragraphs could be smoother. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring they are used in a more natural, academic context would help elevate the score in this criterion.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'calibrated', 'proportion', and 'surpass'. However, there are several instances of awkward word choice and minor errors, such as 'lowest ratio of masses' and 'gradually incline to'. The phrase 'calibrated into percentile' is also technically incorrect in this context. To reach a higher band, focus on using more precise collocations and avoiding informal or slightly misused phrasing. Expanding your range of descriptive verbs and adverbs to describe trends more accurately will also be beneficial.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are frequent grammatical errors, such as 'The data has been calibrated into percentile' (should be 'percentages'), 'People went to a cafe... was 44%' (subject-verb agreement), and '36% pf people' (typo). There are also issues with preposition usage and article omission. To improve, pay closer attention to subject-verb agreement and ensure that your complex sentences are constructed accurately. Proofreading for minor slips and typos will also help improve the overall accuracy of your writing.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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