Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-01

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 6.0)

The pie chart and table show information about the results of a survey of library users at a university.

Overall, full-time undergraduate library users are the most frequent visitors at the university, followed by full-time postgraduates, while part-time graduates are the least frequent visitors. However, distance learners and Academic staff also showed some interest. Overall, most visitors were very satisfied with staff helpfulness and library opening hours; however, no one raised any objections.

In the pie chart, the largest proportions of visitors were full-time undergraduate, full-time postgraduate, and part-time postgraduate library users. However, 44% were undergraduates, 25% were postgraduates, and 16% were part-time postgraduates. Distance learning and academic staff also visited, at about 8% and 7%, respectively.

The table shows the satisfaction of the library users who visited the university. Each section shows users' satisfaction. In the very satisfied section, most users were satisfied with staff helpfulness (about 95%), and none were dissatisfied with library opening hours. However, some users raised minor concerns about the availability of books and journals and the reliability of Wi-Fi. These were about 10% for book availability, 20% for journal availability, and 19% for Wi-Fi reliability.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The response addresses all parts of the task by reporting the main features from both the pie chart and the table. An overview is provided, noting the most frequent visitors and general satisfaction levels. However, some parts are developed more fully than others. For instance, the details regarding the categories of library users are supported by specific percentages, but the survey data section tends to list figures mechanically without fully extending the comparisons between the different criteria, such as contrasting the extremely high satisfaction for staff helpfulness with the lower satisfaction for journals and Wi-Fi. To reach a higher band, the response needs to more fully integrate and compare the data points rather than simply recounting individual figures.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The text presents a coherent overall arrangement with a clear division into introduction, overview, and body paragraphs. Information is generally organized logically, starting with the user categories and moving on to satisfaction levels. However, cohesion is sometimes mechanical or repetitive, as seen with the multiple uses of transitional phrases like 'Overall' and 'However' close together in the second paragraph ('Overall, full-time undergraduate... However, distance learners... Overall, most visitors...'). Referencing is mostly clear, but paragraphing could be managed more effectively to group related ideas. To move up, you should use a wider variety of cohesive devices more flexibly and naturally without over-relying on the same introductory adverbs.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, allowing you to successfully communicate the main features of the charts. You attempt some less common vocabulary items and phrases, such as 'largest proportions', 'minor concerns', and 'reliability'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and phrasing, such as referring to 'part-time postgraduate' students as 'part-time graduates' in the overview, which creates slight imprecision. Spelling and word choice errors are present but do not impede communication. To achieve a higher band, you should incorporate a wider range of sophisticated, less common lexical items and demonstrate more precise control over collocations and academic style.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5

Your grammar demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, reflecting a solid intermediate control of language. You successfully construct complex sentences, such as 'In the very satisfied section, most users were satisfied with staff helpfulness (about 95%), and none were dissatisfied with library opening hours.' There are some errors in grammar and punctuation, such as capitalization issues ('Academic staff') and slight awkwardness in phrasing, but these errors rarely impede communication and do not obscure your meaning. Because this response fully meets the criteria for the lower band and demonstrates the control typical of the higher level through varied structures and mostly accurate punctuation, it earns a strong score here.

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