Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-14

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

The charts below give information about a public library in a town called Little Chalfont.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

 

Student answer (Band 8.5)

The charts provide information about the public library in Little Chalfont, including the age distribution of its members, the proportion of loans by category in 2016, and the total number of loans made between 2007 and 2016.

Overall, adults aged 18–64 accounted for the largest proportion of library members, while fiction books were by far the most frequently borrowed items. In addition, the total number of loans generally increased over the ten-year period despite a slight decline in 2013.

In terms of membership, adults aged 18–64 made up just over half of all library users, at 51%. Children represented the second-largest group, accounting for 22% of members. Young adults aged 13–17 comprised 15%, whereas those aged 65 and above made up the smallest proportion, at 12%.

Regarding borrowing patterns, children's fiction and adult fiction were equally popular, with each category accounting for 38% of all loans. Adult non-fiction ranked third at 13%, while children's non-fiction represented 6%. The remaining categories contributed only small proportions, with young adult books and adult audiobooks each making up 2%, and children's DVDs accounting for the smallest share, at just 1%.

The bar chart shows that the total number of loans rose from approximately 16,000 in 2007 to around 19,000 in 2008 and remained at a similar level in 2009. Borrowing then increased to just over 20,000 in 2010 and peaked at roughly 21,000 in 2011. Although there was a modest fall to about 19,500 in 2013, the figure recovered thereafter, reaching its highest level of approximately 21,500 loans in 2016.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

The response is excellent and fully addresses all parts of the task. You have successfully identified the main features of all three charts: the age distribution, the proportion of loans by category, and the ten-year trend in total loans. The comparisons are well-integrated, such as noting that children's and adult fiction were equally popular at 38% each. The overview is clear and highlights the most significant trends, effectively setting the stage for the detailed body paragraphs. You have provided a comprehensive summary that accurately reflects the data provided without any omissions.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The response is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph focuses on a specific chart, which makes the information easy to follow. You have used a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'In addition,' 'In terms of,' 'Regarding,' and 'Although,' which help to link sentences and ideas smoothly. The paragraphing is logical and contributes to the overall clarity of the report. The information is presented in a way that guides the reader through the data without any confusion or mechanical feel.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You have used a wide range of vocabulary with precision and natural control. Phrases like 'accounted for the largest proportion,' 'equally popular,' 'contributed only small proportions,' and 'modest fall' demonstrate a sophisticated command of language suitable for an academic report. The terminology is accurate and contextually appropriate. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or collocation, and the vocabulary is varied enough to avoid repetition while maintaining a professional tone throughout the response.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

The response displays a wide range of grammatical structures with high accuracy. You have successfully used complex sentences, such as 'Although there was a modest fall to about 19,500 in 2013, the figure recovered thereafter,' which shows good control over subordinating conjunctions. Punctuation is used correctly throughout, and there are no significant grammatical errors. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the few minor slips that might occur in a longer text are absent here, reflecting a very high level of grammatical competence.

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