Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-09-30
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 5.0)
The bar chart illustrates the results of a survey on people's coffee and tea buying and drinking habits across five Australian cities, namely Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Hobart.
Overall, it is evident that the figures varied considerably across the categories, with some recording substantially higher figures, while another registered the lowest proportion. Hobart recorded the greatest proportion of people who went to a cafe for coffee or tea, whereas Sydney accounted for the lowest proportion of people who bought instant coffee in the last four weeks. Meanwhile, Brisbane and Adelaide both recorded remained relatively similar in the last four weeks.
Looking at the details, in last four weeks, Sydney and Melbourne proportion of people bought fresh coffee were both reported at approximately 41%. Afterwards, Brisbane and Adelaide were both remained relatively the same at roughly 35% in the last 4 weeks. However, Hobart proportion of people bought fresh coffee constituted the second-highest figure in the last four weeks. Furthermore, Hobart proportion of people bought instant coffee accounted for highest figure at nearly 53% in the last 4 weeks, following which Sydeney represented the lowest proportion at slightly below 41% in the last four weeks.
Looking most closely at the data, in last 4 weeks, Melbourne and Hobart proportion of people went to a cafe for coffee or tea were both the greatest proportion at just over 62%.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0
The student attempts to address all parts of the task by reporting on the coffee and tea habits across the five Australian cities. However, the selection and reporting of main features contain significant inaccuracies and confusion. For instance, the statement that Hobart recorded the greatest proportion for cafe visits is partially correct (63%), but Melbourne was actually slightly higher at 63.5%. Furthermore, several figures are misread or vague, such as 'approximately 41%' for fresh coffee in Sydney (actual: 44%) and Melbourne (actual: 42.5%), and the overview is vague, stating that 'some recording substantially higher figures, while another registered the lowest proportion'. There is a lack of precise comparison and well-supported key trends. Therefore, the response falls into the Band 5 category for Task Achievement due to incomplete and partially inaccurate data reporting.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0
The essay is divided into paragraphs, which aids readability, but the overall progression of ideas is hindered by awkward transitions and repetitive phrasing, such as the constant repetition of 'in the last four weeks'. Cohesive devices are sometimes mechanical or misused, as seen in the sentence 'Meanwhile, Brisbane and Adelaide both recorded remained relatively similar in the last four weeks.' Referencing is occasionally unclear, and the links between sentences do not always create a smooth logical flow. While an overall structure is discernible with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a concluding data point, the frequent clunkiness in referencing and cohesion limits the score to Band 5.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully using terms such as 'proportion', 'illustrates', and 'category'. However, there are notable lexical errors and awkward word formations, such as 'Hobart proportion of people bought fresh coffee' and 'Sydeney' (spelling error). The repetition of phrases like 'proportion of people' throughout the text restricts lexical flexibility. While the vocabulary is sufficient to convey basic meaning about the chart, the frequent awkward phrasing and word choice inaccuracies prevent it from achieving a higher band, placing it firmly at Band 5.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but grammatical control is weak. There are frequent grammatical errors, such as 'Brisbane and Adelaide both recorded remained relatively similar', 'Sydney and Melbourne proportion of people bought fresh coffee were both reported', and missing prepositions or articles. Furthermore, verb tense and agreement issues are apparent ('Hobart proportion of people bought instant coffee accounted for highest figure'). These errors frequently distract the reader and impede smooth comprehension. The range of structures is limited by faulty execution, justifying a Band 5 score for grammatical accuracy.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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