The chart and table below show the results of a survey of library users at a university.
Sample Response
The pie chart illustrates the composition of the university library's userscomposition of users at a university library, while the table reports their satisfaction with five library servicesfive aspects of the service.
Overall, full-time undergraduates made up by far the largest group of users, whereas academic staff represented the smallest proportion. The helpfulness of staffStaff helpfulness received the most favourable ratings, while journals and wi-fi received the highest dissatisfaction ratesattracted the greatest levels of dissatisfaction.
Full-time undergraduates accounted for 44% of library users. The next largest category was full-time postgraduates, at 25%, followed by part-time postgraduates at 16%. In contrast, distance-learning students comprised only 8% of users, which was marginally higher than the figure for academic staff (7%).
Regarding satisfaction, 95% of respondents were very satisfied with the helpfulness of staff, and the remaining 5% were fairly satisfied. Opening hours also received positive ratingsOpening hours also performed well, with 65% very satisfied and no respondents dissatisfiednobody dissatisfied. Ratings were less positive for the availability of books, as 10% were not satisfied, although half were very satisfied. The proportions of dissatisfied respondentsThe proportions dissatisfied with journals and wi-fi were higher, at 20% and 19% respectively. In terms of very satisfied ratings,Moreover, only 45% were very satisfied with journals, compared with 48% for wi-fi.
Why this response received Band 8.0
The response gives a highly coherent and accurate account of both visuals, supported by a clear overview, well-chosen figures and precise comparisons. The main limitation is that the fairly satisfied category is largely omitted, so the table is represented less completely than it could be. The highest-priority improvement is to add one selective comparison of those middle ratings without turning the report into a list of every value.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Achievement
The report clearly identifies the main patterns and supports them with accurate, well-selected data from the chart and table.
Add one concise comparison involving the fairly satisfied figures to broaden the table coverage while remaining selective.
Coherence and Cohesion
The response is logically sequenced, appropriately paragraphled and smoothly connected without overusing cohesive devices.
Preserve this progression while integrating the final journal and wi-fi comparison into an even tighter concluding sentence.
Lexical Resource
A wide and precise lexical range conveys composition, satisfaction and comparison naturally and accurately.
Continue developing subtle variation in language for ratings while retaining the current level of precision.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Complex and simple structures are used flexibly, with consistently accurate punctuation and agreement.
Maintain this high level of control while experimenting with slightly more varied clause openings in data sentences.
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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.