Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-08-16

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 compare the number of visitors to Ashdown Museum and their levels of satisfaction during the year before and the year after its refurbishment.

Overall, the museum experienced a substantial rise in visitor numbers following the refurbishment, while satisfaction levels improved dramatically. The proportion of visitors who were satisfied or very satisfied increased considerably, whereas dissatisfaction fell sharply.

Before the refurbishment, Ashdown Museum attracted 74,000 visitors. Of these, 15% were very satisfied and a further 30% were satisfied, meaning that less than half of all visitors expressed positive views. By contrast, 40% were dissatisfied and 10% were very dissatisfied, while the remaining 5% gave no response.

In the subsequent year, visitor numbers climbed to 92,000, representing an increase of 18,000. The proportion of very satisfied visitors more than doubled, rising from 15% to 35%, while the satisfied category also increased from 30% to 40%. Conversely, dissatisfaction dropped dramatically: the figure for dissatisfied visitors fell from 40% to 15%, and very dissatisfied respondents halved from 10% to 5%. The proportion giving no response remained unchanged at 5%.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

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, and provided relevant comparisons between the two periods. The data is accurately reported, and the overview clearly highlights the significant changes, which is a requirement for a high band score. There are no omissions, and the information is well-selected to provide a concise yet comprehensive summary.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The response is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph serves a distinct purpose: the introduction sets the context, the overview provides a summary of trends, and the body paragraphs detail the specific data points. Cohesive devices such as 'By contrast', 'In the subsequent year', and 'Conversely' are used naturally and effectively to link ideas and guide the reader through the comparison. Paragraphing is used appropriately, and the information flows smoothly from one point to the next without any mechanical feel.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You demonstrate a wide and sophisticated range of vocabulary, which is used with precision and natural control. Phrases like 'substantial rise', 'improved dramatically', and 'proportion of visitors' are used accurately. You also show an ability to use less common items effectively, such as 'subsequent year' and 'conversely'. The word choice is consistently appropriate for an academic report, and there are no errors in spelling or collocation. The vocabulary is varied and contributes significantly to the clarity and professional tone of the response.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

The response exhibits a wide range of grammatical structures with high accuracy. You successfully employ complex sentences, such as 'The proportion of visitors who were satisfied or very satisfied increased considerably, whereas dissatisfaction fell sharply.' Punctuation is used correctly throughout, and the majority of sentences are error-free. There is a high level of control over verb tenses and subject-verb agreement. The writing is fluent, and the grammatical complexity is appropriate for an academic task, with no errors that impede communication or cause confusion.

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