Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Recent IELTS Exams (Canada & India) · 2026-07-27

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

The pie charts below show how working adults in a particular country spent their time in 1958 and 2008.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

* Note: these aren’t the original diagrams given in the test, they were recreated for the purpose of demonstration.

Student answer (Band 8.0)

The two pie charts compare how working adults spent their time on various activities, namely working, relaxing at home, sleeping, traveling to work, going with friends/family, playing sports in 1958 and 2008.

Overall, working consistently remained the dominant activity throughout the 50-year-period. Meanwhile, going out with friends and family and sleeping had significantly decreased.

In 1958, working accounted for the largest proportion at 33% followed by sleeping at 32%. Going out with friends and family also represented a notable share at 19%, while the remaining activities occupied relatively smaller proportions of the day.

By 2008, working had risen dramatically from 33% to 42%. In contrast, sleeping significantly declined from 32% to 25%, while going out with friends and family fell sharply to just 6%. Relaxing at home had slightly increased from 8% to 13%. Notably, playing sports emerged as a new activity, accounting for 7% of working adults’ daily time.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response effectively addresses all parts of the task. You have provided a clear overview of the main trends and supported these with accurate data from the charts. The comparison between 1958 and 2008 is well-integrated, and you have successfully highlighted the most significant changes, such as the rise in working hours and the decline in social activities. The inclusion of the new activity in 2008 shows a good eye for detail. To reach a higher band, ensure that you consistently group data logically to avoid a list-like feel, though your current structure is already quite effective for a report of this nature.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, overview, and body paragraphs. The progression of ideas is smooth, moving from the general trend to specific data points. You have used cohesive devices such as 'Meanwhile', 'In contrast', and 'Notably' effectively to link sentences and ideas. The paragraphing is appropriate, with each section serving a distinct purpose. The flow is natural, and the referencing is clear throughout the text. There is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive use of linking words, which contributes to a professional and readable report.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey information with precision. Phrases like 'dominant activity', 'notable share', and 'fell sharply' demonstrate a good command of descriptive language. The vocabulary is appropriate for an academic report. While the range is adequate, incorporating a few more sophisticated collocations or varied synonyms for 'increased' and 'decreased' would elevate the response further. There are no spelling errors, and the word choice is consistently accurate, ensuring that the meaning is conveyed clearly and without ambiguity.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The response displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Your control over grammar is strong, with very few errors. The use of participial phrases and comparative structures is accurate. For instance, 'working accounted for the largest proportion at 33% followed by sleeping at 32%' is a well-constructed sentence. Punctuation is used correctly to support the clarity of your writing. While the grammar is highly accurate, incorporating a slightly wider variety of complex grammatical structures, such as passive voice or more advanced subordinating clauses, could help demonstrate a wider range.

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