Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-09
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 illustrates the proportions of different categories of library users, while the table provides information about their satisfaction with five aspects of the library, expressed as percentages.
Overall, full-time undergraduates constitute by far the largest group of library users, whereas academic staff account for the smallest proportion. In terms of satisfaction, helpfulness of staff receives the most positive ratings, while the availability of journals records the highest level of dissatisfaction.
According to the pie chart, full-time undergraduates make up 44% of library users, almost twice the proportion of full-time postgraduates, at 25%. Part-time postgraduates represent a further 16%, while distance-learning students account for 8%. Academic staff comprise the smallest group, at just 7%.
The table shows that users are particularly satisfied with the helpfulness of staff, with 95% describing themselves as very satisfied and another 5% as fairly satisfied. Library opening hours also receive positive feedback, as 65% of users are very satisfied and 35% fairly satisfied, meaning that no respondents are dissatisfied with this aspect.
By comparison, satisfaction is lower regarding the availability of resources and Wi-Fi. Half of users are very satisfied with the availability of books, while 40% are fairly satisfied and 10% are not satisfied. For journals, the corresponding figures are 45%, 35% and 20%, making this the least satisfactory aspect overall. Finally, 48% of respondents are very satisfied with the reliability of Wi-Fi, compared with 33% who are fairly satisfied and 19% who are 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. You have successfully identified and reported the main features of both the pie chart and the table. The overview is clear and highlights the most significant trends, such as the dominance of full-time undergraduates and the contrast between staff helpfulness and journal availability. You have made effective comparisons throughout, such as noting that full-time undergraduates are 'almost twice the proportion' of full-time postgraduates. The data is accurately selected and presented, and the response fully satisfies the requirements of the task.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5
The response is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a distinct focus: the introduction, the overview, the user categories, and the satisfaction levels. You have used a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'whereas', 'in terms of', 'by comparison', and 'the corresponding figures'. The paragraphing is skillful, and the transition between the two data sources is seamless. The information flows naturally, making the report very easy to follow.
Lexical Resource — Band 8.5
You demonstrate a wide and sophisticated range of vocabulary. Phrases such as 'constitute by far the largest group', 'account for the smallest proportion', and 'receive the most positive ratings' are used naturally and accurately. You avoid repetition by using synonyms and varied structures to describe the data. The use of 'corresponding figures' and 'least satisfactory aspect' shows a high level of precision suitable for an academic report. There are no errors in word choice or collocation.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5
The grammatical control is excellent. You have used a variety of complex sentence structures, such as the opening participial phrase 'The pie chart illustrates...' and the use of relative clauses and comparative structures. The punctuation is accurate throughout, and there are no grammatical errors. The majority of sentences are error-free, and the control over tense and subject-verb agreement is consistent. The writing is polished and demonstrates a high level of grammatical flexibility.
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