Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-07-24

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

The table below shows the numbers of visitors to Ashdown Museum during the year before and the year after it was refurbished. The charts show the result of surveys asking visitors how satisfied they were with their visit, during the same two periods.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

Student answer (Band 8.5)

The table compares the number of visitors to Ashdown Museum in the year before and the year after it was refurbished, while the pie charts illustrate the results of visitor satisfaction surveys conducted during the same periods.

Overall, the refurbishment had a positive impact on the museum. The total number of visitors increased considerably, and the proportion of satisfied visitors rose substantially, while the percentages of dissatisfied visitors declined.

Before the refurbishment, the museum received 74,000 visitors. This figure increased by 18,000 to 92,000 in the following year, representing a rise of approximately 24%.

Regarding visitor satisfaction, 30% of respondents reported being satisfied before the refurbishment, while 15% were very satisfied, meaning that a combined 45% expressed positive opinions. In contrast, 40% were dissatisfied and 10% were very dissatisfied, accounting for half of all responses. The remaining 5% did not answer the survey.

Following the refurbishment, satisfaction levels improved markedly. The proportion of very satisfied visitors more than doubled from 15% to 35%, while the percentage of those who were satisfied increased from 30% to 40%. Consequently, the overall share of positive responses reached 75%. Meanwhile, dissatisfaction fell sharply, with the figures for dissatisfied and very dissatisfied visitors dropping to 15% and 5%, respectively. The percentage of respondents who gave no response remained unchanged at 5%.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

You have provided a comprehensive summary of the data provided. You successfully identified the main trends, such as the increase in visitor numbers and the shift in satisfaction levels. The comparison between the two periods is clear, and you have supported your points with accurate data from the table and charts. You have covered all parts of the task well, providing a clear overview and highlighting key features without getting lost in unnecessary detail. The structure is logical, and the information is presented in a way that is easy for the reader to follow.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

Your writing is well-organized and flows logically. You use a clear paragraph structure, with an introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs that group the data effectively. Cohesive devices such as 'In contrast', 'Following the refurbishment', and 'Meanwhile' are used appropriately to guide the reader through the comparisons. The progression of ideas is smooth, and each paragraph has a clear focus. The use of referencing is precise, ensuring that the reader can easily track the data points being discussed.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic task. You use precise terms such as 'considerably', 'substantially', 'markedly', and 'sharply' to describe the trends effectively. Your choice of words is accurate and contributes to a professional tone. There are no significant errors in word choice or collocation. To reach a higher band, you could incorporate slightly more sophisticated or varied synonyms for 'increased' or 'decreased' to show even greater flexibility, but your current range is already very effective for this task.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

Your grammar is strong, with a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You use subordinate clauses effectively, such as 'while the percentages of dissatisfied visitors declined' and 'meaning that a combined 45% expressed positive opinions'. The punctuation is accurate, and there are no noticeable errors that impede communication. The majority of your sentences are error-free, demonstrating a high level of control over English grammar. Your ability to handle complex data comparisons within grammatically sound sentences is a key strength.

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