Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-09-22

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 6.0)

The table illustrates the total number of visitors to Ashdown Museum during the year before and the year after its infrastructural changes, while the pie charts indicate the outcomes of surveys of visitor satisfaction, during the same two periods.

Overall, the figure for the total number of visitors to Ashdown Museum increased after refurbishment of the museum. However, the results of visitor satisfaction surged after refurbishment and dissatisfaction of visitors decreased over the same period.

Before refurbishment of the museum, the percentage accounted for very dissatisfied visitors was 10% and for dissatisfied 40%. Additionally, 30% of visitors were satisfied with the museum and 15% represented very dissatisfied visitors.

Regarding museum after refurbishment, the percentage of very dissatisfied (5%) and dissatisfied (15%) visitors decreased dramatically. Similarly, the figure for satisfied (40%) and very satisfied (35) visitors experienced an impressive rally after refurbishment. Finally, the proportion of non-respondent visitors remained unchanged before and after refurbishment at approximately 5%.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The student covers all parts of the task well, providing data for both visitor numbers and survey results before and after refurbishment. An overview is successfully presented in the second paragraph, highlighting the increase in visitor numbers and satisfaction levels alongside falling dissatisfaction. Key features are selected and compared, such as the rise in total visitors from 74,000 to 92,000 and the shifts in satisfaction categories (e.g., very dissatisfied dropping from 10% to 5%). However, there is a minor contradiction in the third paragraph where 15% is accidentally repeated for 'very dissatisfied' visitors ('Additionally, 30% of visitors were satisfied with the museum and 15% represented very dissatisfied visitors'), whereas the data shows 15% for very satisfied. Overall, the main features are clearly reported and well-supported.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response is structured logically with an introduction, an overview paragraph, and two body paragraphs detailing the before and after data. Cohesive devices are used to guide the reader through the comparisons, such as 'Regarding museum after refurbishment' and 'Similarly'. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate different elements of the visual data. Progression is generally clear throughout the text, although the transition between some sentences could be smoother. Referencing is mostly effective, though occasional slight awkwardness in phrasing slightly affects the natural flow of ideas.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The student demonstrates an adequate to good range of vocabulary suited to Task 1, using terms such as 'infrastructural changes', 'outcomes of surveys', 'proportion', and 'non-respondent'. There are attempts at less common vocabulary with varying success, such as 'experienced an impressive rally', which is slightly unnatural in this academic context. Some minor vocabulary slips occur, such as omitting an article in 'Regarding museum after refurbishment'. However, the vocabulary is sufficient to convey the intended meaning clearly without impeding the reader's understanding.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response displays a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as introductory subordinate clauses ('Before refurbishment of the museum, the percentage accounted for...'). Grammatical control is generally sound, but there are a few noticeable errors and awkward phrasings, such as 'the percentage accounted for very dissatisfied visitors' (which should be 'the percentage of very dissatisfied visitors') and missing determiners like 'Regarding museum'. Despite these errors, the majority of sentences are understandable, and punctuation is handled adequately throughout the short text.

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