Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-06
IELTS Writing Task 1 question
The chart and table below show the results of a survey of library users at a university.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Categories of library users
Student answer (Band 8.5)
The pie chart compares the proportions of five categories of library users, while the table summarises users' satisfaction with various library services.
Overall, full-time undergraduates constitute by far the largest group of library users. In addition, the library receives exceptionally positive feedback for its staff and opening hours, whereas the availability of journals and the reliability of Wi-Fi attract the highest levels of dissatisfaction.
According to the pie chart, 44% of users are full-time undergraduates, making this category almost twice as large as full-time postgraduates, who account for 25%. Part-time postgraduate students represent 16%, while distance-learning students and academic staff make up much smaller proportions at 8% and 7%, respectively.
Turning to the table, the helpfulness of staff receives the strongest rating, with 95% of users being very satisfied and none expressing dissatisfaction. Similarly, library opening hours are highly regarded, as 65% report being very satisfied and the remaining 35% are fairly satisfied. By contrast, only 45% are very satisfied with the availability of journals, while 20% are not satisfied. The reliability of Wi-Fi performs slightly worse, with 48% very satisfied and 19% dissatisfied. Finally, the availability of books receives moderate approval, with 50% very satisfied, 40% fairly satisfied, and 10% not satisfied.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 8.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 8.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 8.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 8.5 |
| Overall | 8.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5
The response is excellent and fully addresses all requirements of the task. You have successfully identified and reported the main features of both the pie chart and the table. The overview is clear and effectively synthesises the key trends, such as the dominance of full-time undergraduates and the contrast between high satisfaction with staff and lower satisfaction with infrastructure. You have made relevant comparisons throughout, such as noting that the largest user group is 'almost twice as large' as the second-largest. The data is accurately presented, and the response is well-structured to highlight the most significant information without getting bogged down in unnecessary detail.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5
The response is logically organised with a clear progression of ideas. You have used a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'In addition', 'Turning to the table', 'Similarly', and 'By contrast', which guide the reader smoothly through the information. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the two distinct data sets (the pie chart and the table), and the referencing is clear throughout. The flow of information is natural, and the relationship between the different categories and satisfaction levels is easy to follow, demonstrating a high level of control over the structure of the report.
Lexical Resource — Band 8.5
You have demonstrated a wide and precise range of vocabulary, which is used naturally and accurately. Phrases such as 'constitute by far the largest group', 'exceptionally positive feedback', and 'represent much smaller proportions' show a sophisticated command of language. The use of collocations is strong, and there are no errors in word choice or spelling. You have successfully avoided repetitive phrasing by using varied terminology to describe the data, which contributes to the overall fluency and professional tone of the report.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5
The response displays a wide range of grammatical structures with full flexibility and accuracy. You have used complex sentences effectively, such as 'The pie chart compares the proportions of five categories of library users, while the table summarises users' satisfaction with various library services.' Punctuation is used correctly throughout, and there are no grammatical errors. The control over verb tenses and subject-verb agreement is consistent, and the sentence variety keeps the writing engaging and clear. This is a highly accurate piece of writing that meets the criteria for the highest band.
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