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 proportion of five distinct categories of library users, while the table details user satisfaction across five specific library services.
Overall, full-time students make up the vast majority of library users, whereas staff and distance learners represent tiny fractions. In terms of feedback, library users express high levels of satisfaction overall, with staff helpfulness receiving the most praise and resource availability recording the highest levels of dissatisfaction.
Regarding user composition, full-time undergraduates form the largest single group at 44%, followed by full-time postgraduates at 25%. Combined, full-time students account for over two-thirds of total library visitors (69%). Among the remaining groups, part-time postgraduates comprise 16%, while distance learning students and academic staff represent minor shares at 8% and 7%, respectively.
Looking at user satisfaction, service-related aspects received overwhelmingly positive responses, with zero dissatisfaction reported for staff helpfulness (95% very satisfied) and opening hours (65% very satisfied). Conversely, physical and digital resources showed noticeable areas of discontent. Availability of journals registered the highest level of dissatisfaction at 20%, closely followed by Wi-Fi reliability at 19% and book availability at 10%. Despite this, total satisfaction (combining "very" and "fairly" satisfied) remained above 80% across all evaluated parameters.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 8.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 8.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 8.0 |
| 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 clearly synthesises the data, highlighting the dominance of full-time students in the user base and the general trend of high satisfaction alongside specific areas of discontent. You have made relevant comparisons, such as grouping the full-time students to show their combined impact (69%) and contrasting the high satisfaction with staff helpfulness against the dissatisfaction with resource availability. All parts of the prompt are addressed with a clear, logical focus, and the data is used accurately to support your points.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5
The response is logically organised and flows smoothly. Each paragraph has a clear purpose: the introduction sets the context, the second paragraph provides an overview, the third details the user categories, and the fourth addresses satisfaction. You use cohesive devices effectively, such as 'Regarding', 'Conversely', and 'Despite this', which help guide the reader through the information. The progression of ideas is natural, and paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the two distinct datasets. There is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive use of linking words.
Lexical Resource — Band 8.0
You demonstrate a wide and precise range of vocabulary. Phrases such as 'represent tiny fractions', 'overwhelmingly positive responses', and 'noticeable areas of discontent' show a sophisticated command of language. You use topic-specific vocabulary accurately, such as 'user composition', 'parameters', and 'dissatisfaction'. The word choices are natural and contribute to the clarity of the report. There are no errors in spelling or word formation, and the vocabulary is well-suited to the academic nature of the task.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5
The writing exhibits a high level of grammatical control. You use a variety of complex structures, such as participial phrases ('combining "very" and "fairly" satisfied') and subordinate clauses ('while distance learning students... represent minor shares'), with consistent accuracy. Punctuation is handled correctly throughout, and the sentence structures are varied, which keeps the writing engaging. There are no noticeable grammatical errors, and the control over tense and agreement is excellent, reflecting a high level of proficiency.
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