⚡ TL;DR
Step-by-step guide to answering this type of IELTS Writing Task 1 question. Covers structure, key language, and band-scoring criteria.
Originally published October 2017. Last reviewed 3 July 2026.
In this post, you will be able to view an essay example from a past student, with the corrections and feedback highlighted in red.
Most of the students studying for the IELTS Test have said they find the IELTS Writing Tasks difficult. I have corrected hundreds of task 1 and 2 essays on various topics, giving estimated band scores and detailed feedback. There are also suggestions on how to improve for a higher band score. Take a look at this student essay example and see how it compares to your own writing.
Writing Task 1 Question
Here is the task 1 essay with corrections, suggestions, feedback and an estimated band score >>
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What Band 5.5 Means for Task 1 Academic
A Band 5.5 response in IELTS Writing Task 1 Academic demonstrates developing competence across all four assessment criteria: Task Achievement, Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource, and Grammatical Range and Accuracy.
Task Achievement at Band 5.5
The response partially addresses the requirements with some attempt at an overview, but key features may be inadequately covered or unclear.
Coherence and Cohesion at Band 5.5
The response shows some organisation but may lack overall progression. Cohesive devices may be inadequate, inaccurate, or overused.
How to Achieve Band 5.5
- Analyse the visual data carefully: Spend 2-3 minutes identifying the main trends, key features, and notable comparisons before writing.
- Write a clear overview: Attempt to summarise the overall trends, even if briefly.
- Select and group information: Try to organise data into coherent groups rather than listing every detail.
- Use accurate data: Reference specific numbers, percentages, and dates from the visual to support your descriptions.
- Vary your language: Use a range of vocabulary for describing trends (increased, rose sharply, remained stable, declined gradually).
Official Band Descriptor Criteria at Band 5.5
The table below summarises what IELTS examiners look for at Band 5.5 across all four marking criteria for Writing Task 1 Academic, according to the band descriptors published jointly by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia, and Cambridge Assessment English (2024).
| Criterion | Band 5.5 Descriptor Summary |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement | Partially addresses the task requirements; the overview may be unclear or missing key features; data or key stages may be inaccurately described. |
| Coherence & Cohesion | Information is organised with some coherence but overall progression may be unclear; cohesive devices may be faulty or mechanical. |
| Lexical Resource | Uses a limited range of vocabulary; errors in word choice and spelling may cause difficulty for the reader. |
| Grammatical Range & Accuracy | Uses a limited range of structures; attempts complex sentences but with frequent errors; errors in grammar and punctuation may cause some difficulty. |
How to Move Beyond Band 5.5
- Practise identifying and clearly stating the overall trend or key pattern before writing about specific data points. Every Task 1 response must include an overview paragraph.
- Use a wider range of linking words and transition phrases (for example, “by contrast,” “similarly,” “whereas”) to connect ideas more naturally across sentences.
- Study model answers at Band 6 and 7 to observe how data is grouped logically rather than described point by point in chronological order.
Key Takeaways
- A Band 5.5 response shows a partial attempt at the task but typically lacks a clear overview or accurate data selection, according to the published IELTS band descriptors (British Council, IDP, and Cambridge, 2024).
- Moving from Band 5.5 to Band 6 or above requires stronger organisation, more precise vocabulary for describing data, and fewer grammatical errors in complex sentences.
- Practise with official Cambridge IELTS past papers and compare your answers to published model responses to calibrate your understanding of what the examiner expects.
Originally published on IELTS Achieve. Last reviewed 3 July 2026.