Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-08-22

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 6.5)

The table below shows the number of visitors to Ashdown Museum during the year before and the year after it was refurbished. The charts show the results of surveys asking visitors how satisfied they were with their visit during the same two periods.

The table clearly shows a significant increase in the number of visitors to the museum in the year after the refurbishment. The chart clearly shows the satisfaction level of the visitors. In the year before the refurbishment, the highest percentage of people were dissatisfied. In the year after the refurbishment, the highest percentage of people were satisfied.

The total number of visitors during the year before the refurbishment was 74000. This figure increased to 92000 during the year after the refurbishment.

The results of surveys show visitor satisfaction for the 2 years. In the year before refurbishment, the highest percentage of visitors, 40%, were dissatisfied with their visit. 30% of visitors were satisfied, 15% were very satisfied, 10% were very dissatisfied, and 5% didn't respond. In the year after refurbishment, the highest percentage of visitors, 40%, were satisfied with their visit. 35% of visitors were very satisfied, 15% were dissatisfied, 5% were very dissatisfied, and the remaining 5% didn't respond.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response covers all parts of the task by reporting the visitor numbers and the satisfaction survey results. You have successfully identified the main trends, such as the increase in total visitors and the shift from dissatisfaction to satisfaction post-refurbishment. However, the report is somewhat mechanical. To reach a higher band, you should integrate the data more fluidly rather than listing figures in separate sentences. For instance, instead of stating the numbers in a separate paragraph, you could compare the satisfaction levels directly with the visitor volume increase to provide a more analytical overview.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a summary of data. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the visitor numbers from the survey results. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat repetitive. You frequently start sentences with 'The' or 'In the year', which makes the flow feel a bit mechanical. Using a wider variety of linking words and transition phrases—such as 'consequently', 'in contrast', or 'whereas'—would improve the flow and help the reader follow the comparison between the two periods more naturally.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is adequate for the task, allowing you to convey the necessary information clearly. You use appropriate terms like 'refurbishment', 'percentage', and 'dissatisfied'. However, the range is somewhat limited and relies on basic descriptors. To improve, try to incorporate more precise vocabulary to describe trends, such as 'witnessed a rise', 'remained constant', or 'a significant shift in sentiment'. The current language is functional but lacks the sophistication and variety required for a higher band score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The response demonstrates a good level of grammatical control. Most sentences are error-free, and the meaning is always clear. You use a mix of simple and compound sentences effectively. To achieve a higher score, you should attempt to incorporate more complex sentence structures, such as using relative clauses (e.g., 'The museum, which underwent refurbishment, saw an increase...') or participial phrases to combine information. While your current accuracy is high, the lack of structural variety limits the potential for a higher band.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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