Responses of undergraduate and postgraduate students to a questionnaire about a university library
IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 - Pie-Charts

IELTS Writing Task 1 Question
The given charts describe responses of undergraduate and postgraduate students to a questionnaire about a university library. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant.

Common Questions for Student Questionnaire Charts
1. Graph Type: Pie charts.
2. Title: Responses of Undergraduate and Postgraduate Students to a Questionnaire about a University Library.
3. What are the units of measurement?: Percentage.
4. Who: Undergraduate and postgraduate students.
5. When: Not specified (assumed recent).
6. Where: University library.
7. Topic: The charts compare undergraduate and postgraduate students’ ratings of the range of books and non-print materials in a university library.
Comparison Showing and Trends
Comparison 1 : Range of Books
- More postgraduate students rated the range of books as “very good” (50%) compared to undergraduates (25%). On the other hand, undergraduates were more likely to be “just satisfied” (50%) compared to postgraduates (33%).
Comparison 2 : Non-Print Material
- Undergraduates were more satisfied with non-print material, with 50% rating it as “very good,” compared to 26% of postgraduates. Both groups had around 25% of students rating it as “very bad.”
Sample Answer
The pie charts are given to compare the responses of undergraduate and postgraduate students regarding the range of books and non-print materials in a university library. It is clear from the charts that there were some notable differences in how both groups rated these aspects of the library.
When it comes to the range of books, postgraduate students were more likely to rate it as “very good,” with 50% giving this rating, compared to 25% of undergraduates. In contrast, a larger proportion of undergraduates (50%) were just satisfied with the book range, while 33% of postgraduates gave a “satisfactory” rating. About a quarter of both undergraduates (24%) and postgraduates (12%) were unhappy with the range of books.
Regarding non-print material, undergraduates rated it more highly than postgraduates, with 50% of undergraduates rating it as “very good” compared to just 26% of postgraduates. Around a quarter of students in both groups rated the non-print material as “very bad.”
Overall, most students were either satisfied or very happy with both the range of books and the non-print materials, although postgraduate students were generally more positive about the range of books, while undergraduates were more satisfied with the non-print materials.
Top 25 Vocabularies
Vocabulary | Meaning | Synonyms | Examples | Type |
Range | The variety or extent of something | Scope, selection | “The range of books was rated very highly by postgraduate students.” | Noun |
Satisfied | Content or happy with something | Content, pleased | “Undergraduates were generally satisfied with the non-print material.” | Adjective |
Rating | An evaluation or score given | Assessment, grade | “The rating of books varied greatly between the two groups of students.” | Noun |
Non-print | Referring to materials that are not in print format (e.g., digital or audiovisual) | Digital, Multimedia | “Undergraduates highly rated non-print materials in the library.” | Adjective |
Opposed | To be in disagreement or contrast with | Disagree, differ | “Undergraduates’ opinions on non-print material were opposed to those of the postgraduates.” | Verb |
Proportion | A part or share of the whole | Fraction, percentage | “A larger proportion of undergraduates were satisfied with the book range.” | Noun |
Notable | Worthy of attention or important | Significant, remarkable | “There were some notable differences in how the groups rated the library.” | Adjective |
Satisfaction | The feeling of being content with something | Contentment, fulfillment | “Most students expressed satisfaction with the library materials.” | Noun |
Disagree | To have a different opinion or view | Oppose, contradict | “Undergraduates disagreed with postgraduates in their views on the book range.” | Verb |
Evaluation | The process of assessing or judging something | Assessment, appraisal | “The evaluation of non-print material showed differing opinions.” | Noun |
Proportionate | Corresponding in size or amount | Relative, comparable | “The proportionate ratings of both books and non-print material were different.” | Adjective |
Quarter | A division into four equal parts | Fourth, segment | “A quarter of both groups rated the non-print materials poorly.” | Noun |
Happy | Feeling pleased or content | Pleased, satisfied | “Most students were happy with the range of books and materials.” | Adjective |
Highly | To a great degree or extent | Very, extremely | “Undergraduates rated non-print material highly compared to postgraduates.” | Adverb |
Unhappy | Feeling displeased or dissatisfied | Discontent, dissatisfied | “A significant number of students were unhappy with the range of books.” | Adjective |
Satisfied | Content or happy with something | Content, pleased | “Postgraduates were generally satisfied with the range of books.” | Adjective |
Digital | Involving technology or computer-based formats | Electronic, online | “Digital materials were more favored by undergraduates.” | Adjective |
Audiovisual | Related to both sound and visual media | Multimedia, interactive | “Audiovisual resources were appreciated by both groups.” | Adjective |
Dissatisfaction | The feeling of not being content or happy | Displeasure, unhappiness | “The dissatisfaction with non-print materials was noted in both groups.” | Noun |
Variety | The quality or state of having different types or kinds | Diversity, assortment | “The variety of books offered in the library was well-received.” | Noun |
Overall | Considering all factors or aspects | In total, generally | “Overall, both groups expressed contentment with the library resources.” | Adverb |
Contrast | The difference or opposition between two or more things | Comparison, differentiation | “There was a contrast in how the two groups rated the materials.” | Noun |
Rating | An assessment or classification based on quality | Score, evaluation | “The rating of non-print materials was higher among undergraduates.” | Noun |
Unanimous | Fully in agreement, without opposition | United, in agreement | “The feedback on non-print materials was unanimous among undergraduates.” | Adjective |
Preference | A greater liking for one thing over another | Liking, choice | “Postgraduates had a clear preference for the range of books.” | Noun |

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