Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-18
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 6.5)
The pie chart illustrates the different categories of library users at a university, while the table demonstrates satisfaction levels among users across five aspects of library services.
Overall, it is remarkable that full-time undergraduates constituted the largest share of total library users. Moreover, helpfulness of staff and library opening hours received more positive feedback, and availability of journals experienced the highest level of dissatisfaction.
Regarding the pie chart, it is clearly shown that the most significant portion belongs to full-time undergraduates, up to 44%. Full-time postgraduates formed the second largest group at 25%, followed by part-time postgraduates at 16%. Furthermore, distance learning students and academic staff made up the smaller categories at 8% and 7% respectively.
Looking at the table, users are generally more pleased with the helpfulness of staff, with an overwhelming 95% reporting they were very satisfied and only 5% fairly satisfied, with no dissatisfaction recorded. Library opening hours also received positive feedback, split between 65% very satisfied and 35% fairly satisfied users.
In contrast, availability of journals and reliability of wi-fi received comparatively weaker ratings, at 20% and 19% respectively, where users reported dissatisfaction. Availability of books fell in between, with 10% dissatisfaction, while roughly half rated it as very satisfactory.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.5 |
| Overall | 6.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5
The student successfully covers all parts of the task by reporting the main features from both the pie chart and the table. An appropriate overview is provided in the second paragraph, highlighting the dominant user category and the general trends in satisfaction levels. Key figures are accurately cited, such as full-time undergraduates constituting 44% and staff helpfulness receiving a remarkable 95% very satisfied rating. Comparisons are made effectively across categories and survey aspects. The response meets the 150-word minimum and provides a well-developed, clear summary without introducing irrelevant information. This performance aligns comfortably with the Band 7 descriptors.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5
The response is logically organised with a clear progression from introduction to overview, followed by detailed paragraphs for the pie chart and the table respectively. Paragraphing is used appropriately and effectively separates the two visual sources. Cohesive devices such as 'Regarding the pie chart', 'Looking at the table', and 'In contrast' are employed to guide the reader smoothly through the text, although some transitions are slightly formulaic. Referencing and substitution are well managed throughout, ensuring that the information flows naturally. This reflects the criteria for a solid Band 7 score.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.5
The student demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary for the task, successfully using terms like 'constituted', 'significant portion', 'proportion', and 'dissatisfaction'. Less common lexical items and collocations are attempted with some awareness of style, as seen in 'overwhelming 95%' and 'comparatively weaker ratings'. Word choice and spelling are generally accurate, with only minor limitations in flexibility. While it does not reach the wide and sophisticated range required for Band 8, the vocabulary used is precise enough to convey the intended meaning clearly, comfortably securing a Band 7.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5
A good mix of simple and complex sentence structures is used throughout the response, including subordinate clauses and participial phrases (e.g., 'while the table demonstrates satisfaction levels...', 'users are generally more pleased...'). There is a high frequency of error-free sentences, and grammar and punctuation are controlled well. Although occasional minor clunkiness appears, such as phrasing in the final sentence, these issues do not impede communication. This level of grammatical control and variety satisfies the criteria for Band 7.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.