Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · 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 6.5)

The chart illustrates the results of a survey about people's coffee and tea buying and drinking habits in five Australian cities in the 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 the last 4 weeks was the lowest. In addition, despite some fluctuations, the ratio of individuals who bought instant coffee in the last 4 weeks remained relatively stable.

Looking at the chart, coffee showed the highest proportion of residents buying coffee or tea in Sydney, accounting for around 62%, and the proportion was 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% over the last 4 weeks.

Furthermore, the proportion of residents who bought instant coffee rose steadily over the last 4 weeks despite some fluctuations, reaching above 50% in Hobart, while the proportion was slightly lower in Adelaide, accounting for only 50%. However, the proportion of residents buying fresh coffee followed the opposite trend. It was not very popular among residents, at approximately 43% in Melbourne, and the proportion was comparatively lower in Brisbane and Adelaide.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt by selecting the main features and making comparisons across the five Australian cities. However, the task achievement is limited by inaccurate data reporting and misinterpretation of the chart. For instance, the student states that coffee showed the highest proportion in Sydney 'accounting for around 62%', but 61% actually refers to going to a cafe, whereas fresh coffee in Sydney was 44%. Furthermore, the charts show single-period survey data over the last four weeks rather than a time-series trend, yet the student repeatedly describes values as having 'rose steadily over the last 4 weeks despite some fluctuations.' This misunderstanding of the visual data keeps the score at this level, as key features are inaccurately described rather than fully developed.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response maintains a coherent overall arrangement with a clear introduction and general overview. Information is generally organised by categories, and there are attempts at logical progression between paragraphs. However, cohesive devices are sometimes mechanical or used inaccurately, such as the repetitive use of 'Furthermore', 'However', and 'In addition' to link sentences. Referencing is also occasionally unclear, particularly when transitioning between different categories of coffee habits. Paragraphing is used, but the internal cohesion within paragraphs could be improved to ensure smoother transitions and clearer relationships between ideas, which is characteristic of the next band.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully attempting less common vocabulary such as 'proportion', 'fluctuations', and 'comparatively'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, partly stemming from the misreading of the chart data, such as confusing buying habits with café attendance. Spelling is generally accurate, and errors do not impede communication. To reach a higher band, the vocabulary would need to demonstrate greater precision and flexibility, with fewer instances of awkward phrasing when describing statistical data.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.0

This criterion is a strong point in the response. The student demonstrates a good control of grammar and punctuation, producing frequent error-free sentences. There is a successful mix of simple and complex sentence structures, including relative clauses and comparative forms, such as 'the proportion of residents who went to cafes for coffee or tea remained relatively high throughout the period'. Grammatical errors are rare and do not impede communication. Minor slips occur occasionally, but the overall sentence architecture displays the variety of complex structures and good control expected at this level.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

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