Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-07-26

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 surveys on visitors' satisfaction during the same periods.

Overall, the refurbishment had a positive impact on both visitor numbers and satisfaction levels. The museum attracted considerably more visitors after the renovation, and the proportion of satisfied visitors increased substantially, whereas the percentages of dissatisfied visitors and those giving no response declined.

Before the refurbishment, the museum received 74,000 visitors. This figure rose significantly to 92,000 in the following year, representing an increase of 18,000 visitors.

Regarding visitor satisfaction, before the refurbishment, only 15% of respondents were very satisfied, while 30% were satisfied. In contrast, 40% were dissatisfied and 10% were very dissatisfied. The remaining 5% did not provide a response.

After the refurbishment, the proportion of very satisfied visitors more than doubled to 35%, while the percentage of satisfied visitors increased to 40%. Meanwhile, the figures for dissatisfied and very dissatisfied visitors fell dramatically to 15% and 5%, respectively. The proportion of people who gave no response remained unchanged at 5%.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 9.0

The response fully addresses all parts of the task. You have successfully identified the main features of both the table and the pie charts, providing a clear overview and supporting it with accurate data. The comparison between the two periods is well-integrated, and the key trends—such as the increase in visitor numbers and the shift in satisfaction levels—are highlighted effectively. The information is logically selected and presented, meeting the requirements for a Band 8 or 9 level of task achievement.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The response is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a distinct focus: the introduction, the overall summary, the visitor numbers, and the satisfaction survey results. Cohesive devices such as 'In contrast', 'Regarding', and 'Meanwhile' are used effectively to link ideas and guide the reader. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the flow of information is smooth throughout the text, demonstrating a high level of coherence.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic report. Phrases like 'proportion of satisfied visitors', 'declined', 'rose significantly', and 'fell dramatically' are used accurately and naturally. The vocabulary is precise and contributes to the clarity of the report. To reach the highest band, you could incorporate a few more sophisticated or less common lexical items, but the current range is sufficient for a high score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 9.0

The writing is highly accurate with a variety of sentence structures. You use complex sentences effectively, such as the opening sentence and the comparison in the second paragraph. There are virtually no grammatical errors, and punctuation is handled correctly. The control over grammar is consistent, and the text is easy to follow, reflecting a high level of grammatical competence.

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