Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-08-06

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 5.5)

The bar graph and pie chart depicts the number of tourists to Ashdown Museum and the satisfaction rating respectively, before the renovation and after the renovation.

Overall, the number of visitors increased significantly during the year before refurbishment to the year after the refurbishment from 74,000 to 92,000. It is apparent that their mission was successful with rising the number of tourists by approximately 18,000. Whereas the survey of visitor satisfaction clearly illustrates the sharp dip of disappointed people by 40% to 15%, less than half, and the soar of satisfied visitors from 30% to 40%. But the major change was noted by the visitors who were very satisfied approximately 15% to the exponential growth of 35%. Post hoc, the very dissatisfied attendees diminish from 10% to 5% after the Museum was refurbished, while the people with no response (5%) remains constant before and after of the project. It is evident that the visitors are not just satisfied but were very satisfied with changes and liked the new things leaving their negative review to bin.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

You have successfully identified the main features of the data, including the increase in visitor numbers and the shifts in satisfaction levels. You made relevant comparisons between the two periods. However, the response could be improved by ensuring the data is presented more accurately. For instance, you stated that the 'very satisfied' category grew from 15% to 35%, but the chart shows it grew from 15% to 40%. Additionally, the description of the 'disappointed' category as a 'sharp dip' is accurate, but ensure all figures are cited precisely. The overview is clear, but the report would benefit from a more structured approach to grouping the satisfaction data to avoid a list-like feel.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is logically organized, starting with an introduction, followed by an overview, and then specific details. You use some cohesive devices like 'Whereas', 'But', and 'While' to connect ideas. However, the transition between the visitor numbers and the satisfaction survey is slightly abrupt. The use of 'Post hoc' is misused here, as it refers to a logical fallacy or a specific type of analysis rather than a temporal marker. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring they are used in the correct context would enhance the flow of your writing.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary, such as 'refurbishment', 'exponential growth', and 'diminish'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation. For example, 'rising the number' should be 'increasing the number', and 'leaving their negative review to bin' is informal and idiomatic in a way that does not fit the academic tone required for Task 1. Additionally, 'soar' is used as a noun here, which is less common than 'surge' or 'increase' in this context. Focusing on more precise academic collocations will help elevate your score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors that slightly impede the clarity of your writing. For instance, 'The bar graph and pie chart depicts' should be 'depict' (subject-verb agreement). The phrase 'before and after of the project' is grammatically incorrect; it should be 'before and after the project'. Furthermore, 'the visitors are not just satisfied but were very satisfied' shows inconsistent tense usage. While these errors do not prevent the reader from understanding your meaning, they occur frequently enough to limit your score in this criterion.

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