Band 9.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 9.0 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-07-30

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 9.0)

The table compares the total number of visitors to Ashdown Museum in the year preceding and following its refurbishment, while the pie charts illustrate the results of visitor satisfaction surveys conducted over the same periods.

Overall, the refurbishment had a markedly positive impact on the museum. Visitor numbers increased substantially, and satisfaction levels improved dramatically, whereas the proportions of dissatisfied and very dissatisfied visitors declined considerably.

The museum attracted 74,000 visitors in the year before the refurbishment. This figure rose by 18,000 to 92,000 in the following year, representing an increase of approximately 24%.

Regarding visitor satisfaction, only 15% of respondents reported being very satisfied before the renovation, while 30% stated that they were satisfied. By contrast, 40% were dissatisfied, making it the largest category, and a further 10% were very dissatisfied. The remaining 5% did not provide a response.

Following the refurbishment, the pattern changed significantly. The proportion of very satisfied visitors more than doubled to 35%, while the percentage who were satisfied climbed to 40%, together accounting for three-quarters of all respondents. In contrast, the share of dissatisfied visitors fell sharply from 40% to 15%, and the figure for the very dissatisfied category halved to 5%. The percentage of those giving no response remained unchanged at 5%.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 9.0

The response is excellent. You have fully addressed all parts of the task by summarizing the main features of both the table and the pie charts. You successfully identified the key trends, such as the increase in visitor numbers and the shift in satisfaction levels. The data is accurately reported, and you have made relevant comparisons between the two periods, such as noting that the proportion of very satisfied visitors 'more than doubled'. The overview is clear and effectively highlights the main impact of the refurbishment. No information is missing, and the response is well-focused throughout.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 9.0

The response is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. You have used paragraphing effectively to separate the visitor numbers from the satisfaction survey results. Cohesive devices such as 'while', 'whereas', 'by contrast', and 'following the refurbishment' are used naturally and accurately to link sentences and clauses. The flow of information is smooth, and the referencing is precise, making the text very easy to follow. There is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive use of linking words.

Lexical Resource — Band 9.0

You demonstrate a wide and sophisticated range of vocabulary. Phrases such as 'markedly positive impact', 'representing an increase of approximately', and 'accounting for three-quarters of all respondents' show a high level of lexical control. You use precise terminology appropriate for a data-reporting task. The word choices are natural and contribute to the clarity of the report. There are no errors in word choice or collocation, and the vocabulary is varied enough to avoid repetition throughout the text.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 9.0

The response exhibits a wide range of grammatical structures with full flexibility and accuracy. You have successfully combined simple and complex sentences, such as using subordinate clauses ('while the pie charts illustrate...') and participial phrases ('representing an increase of...'). Punctuation is used correctly to support the structure of your sentences. There are no grammatical errors, and the control over tense usage—switching between the past and present as appropriate for the data—is flawless. The writing is error-free.

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.