Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-07-28
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 and pie charts show information about the number of visitors to Ashdown Museum and their satisfaction levels, before and after it was refurbished.
Overall, the number of visitors increased after the refurbishment, and there was also a big improvement in visitor satisfaction, with fewer people feeling dissatisfied.
Looking at the table first, 74,000 people visited the museum in the year before it was refurbished. This number went up to 92,000 in the year after, which shows that the refurbishment had a positive effect on visitor numbers.
In terms of satisfaction, the pie charts show a clear difference between the two years. Before the refurbishment, most visitors were not happy with their visit. 40% said they were very dissatisfied and 30% said they were dissatisfied, so most people had a negative experience. Only 15% were satisfied and 5% were very satisfied, and 10% did not give an answer.
After the refurbishment, the results changed a lot. The percentage of satisfied visitors rose to 40%, and very satisfied visitors rose to 35%, meaning most people now had a good experience. On the other hand, dissatisfied visitors dropped to 15% and very dissatisfied to 5%. The number of people with no response also went down slightly, to 5%.
In conclusion, the refurbishment led to more visitors and much higher satisfaction levels.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 8.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 8.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 8.5 |
| Overall | 8.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5
The response effectively addresses all parts of the task. You have provided a clear overview of the main trends—the increase in visitor numbers and the shift in satisfaction levels—and supported these with accurate data from the table and charts. The comparison between the two periods is well-integrated, and you have successfully highlighted the key features without getting bogged down in unnecessary detail. The information is logically selected and reported, meeting the requirements for a Band 8 performance.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5
The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a concluding summary. Each paragraph has a central focus, moving from the table data to the satisfaction survey results. Cohesive devices such as 'In terms of', 'On the other hand', and 'In conclusion' are used effectively to guide the reader through the information. The progression of ideas is smooth, and the paragraphing is appropriate for the task. The structure is clear and easy to follow throughout.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.5
You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey the information accurately. Terms like 'refurbished', 'satisfaction levels', and 'positive effect' are used correctly. While the vocabulary is functional and precise, it is mostly standard. To reach a higher band, you could incorporate more sophisticated collocations or varied synonyms to describe trends (e.g., 'witnessed a significant surge' instead of 'went up'). However, the current range is more than adequate for the task and demonstrates good control.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5
The writing is largely error-free and demonstrates a good command of sentence structures. You have successfully used a mix of simple and complex sentences, such as 'The percentage of satisfied visitors rose to 40%, and very satisfied visitors rose to 35%, meaning most people now had a good experience.' Punctuation is accurate, and there are no significant grammatical slips that impede communication. The control over tense and subject-verb agreement is consistent throughout the response.
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