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 here shows the number of visitors to Ashdown Museum on the previous and next year of the year it was refurbished. Also the charts visualize the result of surveys conducted on visitors regarding their satisfaction with the visit during the two periods.

It is quite evident that the total number of visitors to the museum have increased overall in the year after refurbishment compared to the figure in the year before that. Also in the year before refurbishment, most of the visitors were dissatisfied with their visit. However in the year after the refurbishment, most of the visitors were satisfied with their visit comparatively.

In the year before Ashdown museum was refurbished, there were a total of 74000 people who visited the museum. However in the next year, after the refurbishment was completed, 92000 visitors were recorded which showed a significant increase compared to the figures recorded previously.

The results of surveys conducted on visitors showed how satisfied they were with the visit. In the year before refurbishment, the majority i.e. about 40% of the people were dissatisfied, 30% of visitors seemed satisfied, and only 15% seemed really very satisfied. 10% of them were very dissatisfied and 5% gave no response. However in the year after refurbishment, most of the people about 40% were satisfied, 35% of visitors were very satisfied. Only 15% were dissatisfied and 5% were very dissatisfied. Another 5% didn't respond. Overall more percentage of people were satisfied in the year after refurbishment compared to the year before that.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

You have successfully identified the main features of the data, including the overall increase in visitor numbers and the shift in satisfaction levels. You provided clear comparisons between the two periods, which is essential for Task 1. However, to reach a higher band, ensure that your overview is more integrated. While you have covered the data well, the description of the survey results could be more concise by grouping similar categories rather than listing each percentage individually. This would allow for a more analytical approach rather than just reporting the raw figures, which is a key requirement for higher band scores.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a summary of trends. You use cohesive devices such as 'however', 'in the year before', and 'overall' to guide the reader through the data. The paragraphing is appropriate, with each section focusing on a specific aspect of the task. To improve, try to vary your linking phrases further, as some transitions feel slightly repetitive. Additionally, ensure that the connection between sentences is always smooth to avoid a list-like feel when describing the survey percentages.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary to describe the data, such as 'refurbished', 'significant increase', and 'dissatisfied'. The language is generally accurate and appropriate for the task. To achieve a higher score, incorporate more precise academic vocabulary to describe trends and proportions, such as 'a substantial rise', 'a marked shift', or 'the proportion of visitors'. You currently rely on some basic descriptors like 'really very satisfied' and 'most of the people', which could be replaced with more sophisticated alternatives to show greater lexical flexibility.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, and your meaning is consistently clear. There are some minor grammatical slips, such as 'the total number of visitors... have increased' (should be 'has increased') and 'more percentage of people' (should be 'a higher percentage of people'). While these errors do not impede communication, they prevent the response from reaching the highest bands. Focus on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of quantifiers. Your control of punctuation is generally good, and the sentence structures are varied enough to maintain interest.

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

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