Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Recent IELTS Exams (Canada & India) · 2026-09-04

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 8.5)

The pie charts compare how working adults in a particular country allocated their time to different activities in 1958 and 2008.

Overall, working and sleeping accounted for the largest proportions of the day in both years. However, adults spent considerably more time working in 2008, while the proportions devoted to sleeping and going out with friends and family declined.

In 1958, working occupied the largest share of the day, at 33%, closely followed by sleeping at 32%. Going out with friends and family accounted for a further 19%, while 8% of the day was spent relaxing at home. Only 2% was devoted to travelling to work, and the remaining 6% was spent on other interests or activities.

By 2008, the proportion of time spent working had risen significantly to 42%, an increase of 9 percentage points. In contrast, sleeping fell from 32% to 25%. There was also a substantial reduction in time spent socialising, with going out with friends and family dropping from 19% to just 6%. Conversely, relaxing at home became more common, increasing from 8% to 13%. Time spent travelling to work also rose considerably, from 2% to 7%, while 7% of the day was spent playing sports.

Useful vocabulary

accounted for = represented

allocated their time to = spent their time on

the largest share/proportion = the biggest percentage

rose significantly = increased considerably

fell from X to Y = decreased

a substantial reduction = a large decrease

conversely = in contrast

devoted to = spent on

Key structure to remember:

Introduction → Overall → 1958 details → 2008 details

This is a good structure for your IELTS Task 1 pie-chart questions because it focuses on comparisons rather than simply listing every percentage.

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AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

The response is excellent. You have successfully identified all key features of the pie charts, including the major shifts in working hours and socialising. The comparison between 1958 and 2008 is clear and supported by accurate data points. You have effectively highlighted the trends, such as the increase in working and travelling time versus the decrease in sleeping and socialising. The overview provides a concise summary of the main developments, which is essential for a high band score. All parts of the prompt are addressed thoroughly, and the data is presented in a logical, comparative manner.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The essay is logically organised with a clear progression of ideas. You have used a standard and effective structure: introduction, overview, and two body paragraphs detailing the specific data. Cohesive devices such as 'In contrast', 'Conversely', and 'while' are used naturally to link ideas and contrast the two time periods. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the overview from the detailed analysis. The flow of information is smooth, and the reader can easily follow the comparison between the two years without any confusion.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.5

You demonstrate a wide and sophisticated range of vocabulary. Phrases like 'allocated their time', 'proportions devoted to', and 'substantial reduction' show a high level of lexical control. The use of 'percentage points' to describe the change in working hours is precise and demonstrates an excellent grasp of statistical reporting. The vocabulary is not only accurate but also varied, avoiding unnecessary repetition. There are no errors in word choice or collocation, and the language is perfectly suited to an academic report.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

The grammatical range is impressive, featuring a variety of complex sentence structures that are used with high accuracy. You have successfully employed subordinate clauses and comparative structures to convey information efficiently. Punctuation is used correctly throughout, and there are no noticeable grammatical errors. The control over tense and subject-verb agreement is consistent. The writing is error-free, and the complexity of the sentences enhances the clarity of the report rather than hindering it.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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