Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · 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 8.0)

The table and pie charts compare the number of visitors to Ashdown Museum and the levels of visitor satisfaction before and after its refurbishment.

Overall, the renovation had a highly positive impact on the museum. Visitor numbers rose considerably, while the proportion of satisfied visitors increased dramatically. At the same time, the percentages of dissatisfied and very dissatisfied visitors fell sharply.

Before the refurbishment, the museum welcomed 74,000 visitors. The largest group was dissatisfied visitors, accounting for 40%, followed by those who were satisfied at 30%. Very satisfied visitors represented only 15%, while 10% were very dissatisfied. A further 5% of respondents gave no opinion.

After the refurbishment, annual attendance increased to 92,000, an increase of 18,000 visitors. Satisfaction levels improved substantially, with the satisfied category becoming the largest group at 40%. The proportion of very satisfied visitors more than doubled, rising from 15% to 35%. In contrast, the percentage of dissatisfied visitors dropped dramatically from 40% to 15%, while the very dissatisfied group was halved to 5%. The share of visitors who gave no response remained unchanged at 5%.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response is excellent and 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 of the trends. The comparison between the two periods is well-integrated, and the data is used accurately to support your points. For instance, you correctly highlight the rise in visitor numbers from 74,000 to 92,000 and provide a precise breakdown of the shifts in satisfaction percentages. The information is logically selected and well-summarised, meeting all requirements for a high-band response.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The response is logically organised with a clear progression of ideas. You use an effective structure, starting with an overview and then moving into detailed paragraphs for the 'before' and 'after' periods. Cohesive devices such as 'At the same time', 'In contrast', and 'while' are used naturally to link sentences and clauses. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the introduction, overview, and body paragraphs, making the text very easy to follow. The flow of information is smooth throughout the entire response.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a wide and flexible range of vocabulary that is well-suited to the task. You use precise terminology such as 'annual attendance', 'proportion', 'renovation', and 'substantially' to describe the data effectively. The collocations are natural, and there is a clear attempt to use varied language to avoid repetition, such as using 'rose considerably' and 'increased dramatically'. The vocabulary is sophisticated and contributes to the clarity and professional tone of the report.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

Your writing displays a high level of grammatical control. You use a variety of complex structures, such as participial phrases ('accounting for 40%') and comparative clauses, with high accuracy. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the punctuation is handled correctly throughout. There is a good balance between simple and complex sentence forms, which enhances the readability of the report. The grammatical accuracy is consistent, and there are no errors that impede communication.

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