The table below shows the results of surveys in 2000, 2005 and 2010 about one university.

IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 writing task image

Sample Response

The chart shows the data from different polls about a particular higher establishment based on the reviews of students questioned in various years: 2000, 2005 and 2010. According to the data, given by the table, it can be clearly seen that during above mentioned years most of the students gave an excellent overview of print resources because its number remained steady.

However, young people involved in studies were less satisfied with the quality of a variety of provided modules. Its number kept declining and the lowest figure of 27 was observed in 2010. It is crucial to point out that throughout the given years the proportion of students satisfied with constructional conditions and teaching facilities did not vary. Perhaps it is an evidence of high standards of the university.

One could draw the conclusion that the vast majority of students enjoyed to its fullest extent the print resources and the organisation of teachers.

IELTS Writing Correction

  • 1. Name the visual Original: chart Suggested revision: table Why it matters: The visual presents values in a table rather than a chart.
  • 2. Use task wording Original: different polls Suggested revision: three surveys Why it matters: “Surveys” is the precise term used for the data collection.
  • 3. Use natural term Original: particular higher establishment Suggested revision: particular university Why it matters: “Higher establishment” is not a natural term for a university.
  • 4. Clarify the measure Original: reviews of students questioned Suggested revision: ratings given by surveyed students Why it matters: The table records good ratings rather than general reviews.
  • 5. State years directly Original: in various years: 2000, 2005 and 2010 Suggested revision: in 2000, 2005 and 2010 Why it matters: The shorter wording presents the three survey years more directly.
  • 6. Identify respondents Original: young people involved in studies Suggested revision: surveyed students Why it matters: This concise phrase accurately identifies the respondents.
  • 7. Use accurate ranking Original: less Suggested revision: least Why it matters: The range of modules received the lowest rating in every survey year.
  • 8. Match table label Original: quality of a variety of provided modules Suggested revision: range of modules offered Why it matters: The table measures the range of modules, not their quality.
  • 9. Fix reference Original: Its number kept declining Suggested revision: This percentage kept declining Why it matters: A percentage, not a countable number, declines from 32 to 27.
  • 10. Include the unit Original: figure of 27 Suggested revision: figure of 27% Why it matters: The table reports percentages, so the unit is essential.
  • 11. Refer clearly Original: throughout the given years Suggested revision: across all three surveys Why it matters: This wording links the statement directly to the three survey points.
  • 12. Use table term Original: constructional conditions Suggested revision: buildings Why it matters: The category is buildings and teaching facilities, not constructional conditions.

Suggested Rewrites

  • chart table
  • different polls three surveys
  • particular higher establishment particular university
  • reviews of students questioned ratings given by surveyed students
  • in various years: 2000, 2005 and 2010 in 2000, 2005 and 2010
  • young people involved in studies surveyed students
Overall assessment

Why this response received Band 5.5

The response is strongest when identifying the stable ratings for print resources and building and teaching facilities, and it also notes the decline in module choice. Its main limitation is incomplete task coverage: it omits the dramatic rise in electronic resources and says little about technical quality, so the overview misses the most important trend. Prioritise a complete overview of all major movements before adding selective detail.

Band score breakdown

IELTS Writing Criteria Scores

TA

Task Achievement

5.0
Scoring rule

The response identifies several valid features but omits the major rise in electronic resources and provides only limited supporting figures and comparisons.

Next step

Include a clear overview covering the sharp increase in electronic resources, the stable high ratings, and the declining module range, then support each with selected data.

CC

Coherence and Cohesion

6.0
Scoring rule

The three-paragraph structure and basic linking create a broadly clear progression, although the final paragraph repeats earlier points and some references are vague.

Next step

Organise the report into an overview followed by grouped rising, falling, and stable features, using precise nouns instead of unclear references such as “its number”.

LR

Lexical Resource

5.5
Scoring rule

There is some range in describing survey results, but several awkward choices such as “higher establishment” and “constructional conditions” reduce precision.

Next step

Use standard Task 1 terms such as university, percentage, facilities, remained stable, and declined gradually.

GRA

Grammatical Range and Accuracy

6.0
Scoring rule

The response uses both simple and complex sentences, but recurring article, agreement, and complementation errors sometimes make phrasing unnatural.

Next step

Check articles and verb patterns carefully, especially in phrases such as “the above-mentioned years,” “this is evidence,” and “students enjoyed the resources.”

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IELTS Academic Writing Task 1

The table below shows the results of surveys in 2000, 2005 and 2010 about one university.

IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 writing task image

Your response

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20:00

Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.