Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-10-02

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 chart illustrates the results of a survey about people's coffee and tea buying and drinking habits in five Australian cities in last four weeks.

Overall, the proportion of residents who went to cafes for coffee or tea remained relatively high throughout the period, whereas, the proportion of residents who bought fresh coffee in last 4 weeks was the lowest. In addition, despite some fluctuations, the ratio of individuals, who bought instant coffee in last 4 weeks remained relatively stable.

Looking at the chart, cafes showed the highest proportion of residents, buying coffee or tea in Sydney accounting for around 62% and is much higher in Melbourne and Hobart accounting for around 66% and 64%. However, the proportion of residents was comparatively lower in Brisbane and Adelaide, accounting for only 56% and below 50% in last 4 weeks.

Furthermore, the proportion of residents, who bought instant coffee, gradually increased in last 4 weeks despite some fluctuations, reaching above 50% in Hobart, while its proportion was slightly was lower in Adelaide accounting for only 50%. However, the proportion of residents buying instant coffees followed the opposite trend. It was not so much popular among residents, like approximately 43% in Melbourne and is comparatively lower in Brisbane and Adelaide.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

The response addresses all parts of the task by presenting data across the five Australian cities, though some areas lack clarity and development. An overview is attempted in the second paragraph, identifying main trends such as the high popularity of visiting cafes and the lower figures for fresh coffee purchases. However, the selection and reporting of data contain minor inaccuracies or confusing expressions, such as mixing up trends for instant coffee in the final paragraph where it is stated that residents buying instant coffee 'followed the opposite trend'. Certain data points are slightly misread or generalised loosely, placing the response at a level where relevant ideas are presented but some are under-developed or unclear.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The text maintains a coherent overall arrangement and follows a logical paragraph structure, beginning with an introduction, followed by an overview, and then detailed body paragraphs. However, cohesion is sometimes mechanical and referencing is not always clear, leading to occasional confusion in the flow of ideas. Transitional phrases like 'Furthermore' and 'Looking at the chart' are used to structure the text, but repetitive sentence openings and awkward linking devices impede a smooth progression. Paragraphing is present and appropriate for a task of this length, but the internal logical connections between sentences require clearer signposting to achieve a higher band.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

An adequate range of vocabulary is deployed for the task, successfully conveying basic statistical concepts using terms such as 'proportion', 'ratio', and 'fluctuations'. The writer makes attempts to use less common vocabulary like 'comparatively lower', but this is sometimes accompanied by awkward word choices and minor collocation issues, such as 'instant coffees' instead of 'instant coffee' or stating that an item 'was not so much popular'. Spelling is generally accurate throughout, and errors in word choice do not impede communication, allowing the response to comfortably meet the requirements of this lexical band.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The writing exhibits a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating attempts at relative clauses such as 'residents who went to cafes' and 'individuals, who bought instant coffee'. However, there are noticeable grammatical errors, particularly with awkward verb phrasing, tense consistency, and awkward punctuation, such as unnecessary commas separating subjects from verbs ('the ratio of individuals, who bought...'). While the errors do not severely impede communication, they are frequent enough to prevent the response from achieving a higher band. Prepositions and article usage also show occasional slips, such as 'in last four weeks' instead of 'in the last four weeks'.

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