The chart and table below show the results of a survey of library users at a university.
Sample Response
The pie chart illustrates the different categories of people using a university library, while the table shows how satisfied these users were with five library services.
Overall, full-time undergraduates formed by far the largest group of users, whereas academic staff were the smallest group. In addition, users were most pleased with the helpfulness of staff, while journals and wi-fi received the lowest levels of satisfaction.
Full-time undergraduates accounted for 44% of all library users. This was almost twice the proportion of full-time postgraduates, at 25%. Part-time postgraduates made up a further 16%, while distance-learning students represented only 8%. Academic staff were the least common users, at 7%.
Regarding satisfaction, 95% of respondents were very satisfied with staff helpfulness, and the remaining 5% were fairly satisfied. Opening hours also performed well, with 65% very satisfied and no dissatisfied users. By contrast, only 45% were very satisfied with the availability of journals, and one fifth were not satisfied. The figures for wi-fi were similar: 48% were very satisfied, compared with 19% who were dissatisfied. Books received a more balanced response, as half of users were very satisfied and 10% were not satisfied.
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Use concise phrasing Original: different categories of people using a university library Suggested revision: categories of university library users Why it matters: This more compact noun phrase expresses the same meaning more directly.
- 2. Use precise proportion language Original: were the smallest group Suggested revision: represented the smallest proportion Why it matters: This wording describes the pie-chart share more precisely.
- 3. Clarify the comparison Original: received the lowest levels of satisfaction Suggested revision: had the highest dissatisfaction rates Why it matters: The table directly shows journals and wi-fi as having the largest not-satisfied shares.
- 4. Avoid cumulative wording Original: made up a further 16% Suggested revision: accounted for 16% Why it matters: The revised wording states this separate category's share without implying a running total.
- 5. Use natural collocation Original: with staff helpfulness Suggested revision: with the helpfulness of staff Why it matters: This is the more natural noun phrase for the service being rated.
- 6. Describe ratings directly Original: Opening hours also performed well Suggested revision: Opening hours also received positive ratings Why it matters: Services receive ratings, so this wording is more precise than saying the hours performed.
- 7. Reflect the distribution Original: a more balanced response Suggested revision: a broadly positive response Why it matters: The visual shows 90% satisfied with books in total, so the responses are not evenly balanced.
- 8. Sentence rewrite Original: The figures for wi-fi were similar: 48% were very satisfied, compared with 19% who were dissatisfied. Suggested revision: Wi-fi showed a similar pattern to journals, with 48% very satisfied and 19% not satisfied. Why it matters: Naming journals makes the comparison introduced by 'similar' explicit.
- 9. Compare middle ratings Suggested revision: Add one concise comparison of the fairly satisfied figures, such as 40% for books versus 33-35% for the other lower-rated services. Why it matters: The paragraph covers the extremes well but leaves the table's middle category almost entirely unreported.
Suggested Rewrites
- different categories of people using a university library categories of university library users
- were the smallest group represented the smallest proportion
- received the lowest levels of satisfaction had the highest dissatisfaction rates
- made up a further 16% accounted for 16%
- with staff helpfulness with the helpfulness of staff
- Opening hours also performed well Opening hours also received positive ratings
Why this response received Band 8.0
The response is strongest in its accurate, well-organised selection of data, with a clear overview and effective comparisons across both visuals. Its main limitation is that the satisfaction discussion gives little attention to the fairly satisfied figures beyond staff helpfulness, although the key patterns remain fully clear. To improve further, add one concise comparison of those middle ratings while preserving the report's selective focus.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Detailed feedback by IELTS writing criterion after the annotated essay.
Task Achievement
The report presents a clear overview and accurately selects and compares the principal user and satisfaction figures from both visuals.
Include a brief comparison of the fairly satisfied proportions to make the table coverage even more rounded.
Coherence and Cohesion
Information progresses logically from the overview to user composition and then satisfaction, with cohesive devices used smoothly.
Maintain this clear grouping while making the transition between the two sets of table comparisons even more economical.
Lexical Resource
Vocabulary is varied, precise and natural for describing proportions, rankings and contrasting survey results.
Refine the phrase categories of people to the more concise user categories for still greater precision.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A wide range of simple and complex sentence forms is used accurately and flexibly throughout.
Continue varying comparative structures while retaining the same consistently strong grammatical control.
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IELTS Academic Writing Task 1
The chart and table below show the results of a survey of library users at a university.
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.