Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-29
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 two diagrams present information about the composition of library users and their levels of satisfaction with various services.
Overall, full-time undergraduates constitute the largest user group (44%), while academic staff are the smallest (7%). In terms of satisfaction, users are most pleased with staff helpfulness (95% very satisfied) and library opening hours (65% very satisfied), whereas journal availability and wi-fi reliability receive the lowest approval ratings.
Specifically, among user categories, full-time postgraduates account for 25%, followed by part-time postgraduates (16%) and distance learners (8%). The relatively small proportion of academic staff (7%) contrasts sharply with the dominance of undergraduate students.
Regarding satisfaction, the staff's helpfulness stands out as exceptionally well-regarded, with virtually all users (95%) reporting high satisfaction and none expressing dissatisfaction. Conversely, journal availability elicits the most negative response: only 45% are very satisfied, while 20% are not satisfied - a significantly higher dissatisfaction rate than for any other service. Similarly, wi-fi reliability shows notable discontent (19% not satisfied), despite nearly half (48%) being very satisfied. Book availability receives moderate feedback (50% very satisfied, 10% not satisfied), suggesting room for improvement but less urgency than journals or wi-fi.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 8.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 8.0 |
| Overall | 8.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5
The student fully addresses all parts of the task by summarizing both the pie chart depicting the composition of library users and the table detailing user satisfaction. An effective overview is provided, capturing the key extremes (undergraduates as the largest group, academic staff as the smallest, alongside high satisfaction with staff helpfulness and lower satisfaction with journal availability and wi-fi). Main features and comparisons are clearly reported and well-supported with accurate data from the visual aids, such as full-time undergraduates constituting 44% and staff helpfulness reaching 95% very satisfied. The response meets all requirements for Task Achievement at a high level.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.5
Ideas are logically sequenced, moving smoothly from a general introduction and overview into specific details about user categories and satisfaction ratings. Paragraphing is used appropriately and effectively, with each body paragraph focusing on a distinct aspect of the visual data. Cohesive devices are managed naturally without being overly mechanical, using phrases such as 'Overall', 'Specifically', and 'Conversely' to guide the reader through the comparisons. Referencing is clear throughout the text, ensuring a seamless flow of information.
Lexical Resource: Band 8.0
The student demonstrates a wide and flexible vocabulary range suitable for an Academic Task 1 response. Less common lexical items and collocations are used effectively, such as 'constitute the largest user group', 'contrasts sharply', 'exceptionally well-regarded', and 'elicits the most negative response'. Word choices are precise, and there are no noticeable spelling or word-formation errors. The control over vocabulary allows the writer to convey precise statistical comparisons effortlessly.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 8.0
The writing exhibits a wide range of complex grammatical structures used with a high degree of accuracy. The majority of sentences are completely error-free, featuring sophisticated syntactic constructions such as participial phrases ('while academic staff are the smallest') and concessive clauses ('despite nearly half being very satisfied'). Punctuation is handled accurately, and control over complex verb forms and relative clauses is strong, allowing the text to read smoothly and professionally.
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