Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-25
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 8.0)
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 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 | 8.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 8.0 |
| Overall | 8.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 8.0
The student provides a very thorough and well-structured overview of both the pie chart and the table. All key features are successfully identified and accurately reported, such as noting that full-time undergraduates are the largest group at 44% and academic staff the smallest at 7%. Data from the table is also correctly integrated, highlighting that staff helpfulness received the highest satisfaction rating (95% very satisfied) while the availability of journals recorded the highest dissatisfaction (20%). The comparisons made are relevant and accurate, satisfying all requirements of Task 1 comprehensively without any significant omissions.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.5
The response demonstrates a clear and logical progression throughout. It begins with an effective introductory summary sentence, moves smoothly into describing the pie chart data, transitions naturally into the survey results from the table, and concludes by comparing satisfaction levels. Cohesive devices are used fluently and appropriately (e.g., 'whereas', 'In terms of satisfaction', 'By comparison', 'Finally'), ensuring that the information flows naturally from one idea to the next. Paragraphing is handled well, keeping distinct data sets logically separated.
Lexical Resource: Band 7.5
The student exhibits a wide and flexible lexical range suitable for an Academic Task 1 response. Vocabulary is used with precision to describe statistical trends and survey results, using phrases such as 'proportions of different categories', 'constitute by far the largest group', 'account for', and 'corresponding figures'. There is effective use of collocation and less common academic terms (e.g., 'respondents', 'dissatisfaction', 'reliability'). Word choices are accurate, and no spelling or lexical errors impede understanding.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 8.0
The response features a wide range of complex grammatical structures used with a high degree of accuracy. The writer successfully employs subordinate clauses, participial phrases, and comparative structures (e.g., 'full-time undergraduates make up 44% of library users, almost twice the proportion of full-time postgraduates, at 25%'). Punctuation is handled expertly to list statistics and manage coordinate and subordinate clauses. The vast majority of sentences are completely error-free, reflecting strong grammatical control.
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