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 two pie charts compare the proportion of time working adults in a particular country devoted to various daily activities in 1958 and 2008.

At first glance, it is evident that work and sleep dominated people's routines in both years. However, over the 50-year period, working hours expanded considerably, while the share of time spent on sleeping and socialising outside the home declined.

In 1958, the largest portion of the day was allocated to working, at 33%, closely followed by sleeping, which accounted for 32%. By 2008, the figure for work had risen markedly to 42%, whereas sleeping dropped substantially to only a quarter of the day. Likewise, going out with friends or family, which previously represented nearly one-fifth of daily activities (19%), fell dramatically to a mere 6%.

By contrast, indoor and solitary pursuits became more prevalent. Relaxing at home doubled from 8% to 13%, while engaging in hobbies and sports edged up from 6% to 8%. Time spent commuting also tripled, from 2% in 1958 to 6% in 2008, reflecting perhaps longer distances or increased reliance on transport.

In summary, the data suggest a clear shift over time towards longer working hours and home-based leisure, accompanied by a decline in sleeping and outdoor social interactions.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

The response is excellent and fully addresses all parts of the task. You have provided a clear overview of the main trends, such as the increase in working hours and the decline in sleep and socialising. The data is well-selected, with accurate comparisons made between 1958 and 2008. You successfully highlighted the most significant changes, such as the shift from outdoor socialising to indoor leisure, and supported these points with precise figures from the charts. The information is logically organised, and the summary at the end effectively synthesises the main findings without simply repeating the data.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The response is logically organised with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a distinct focus, moving from the overview to specific comparisons and then to contrasting trends. You have used a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'At first glance', 'Likewise', 'By contrast', and 'In summary', which help the reader follow the argument smoothly. Paragraphing is used appropriately, and referencing is clear throughout the text. The flow between sentences is natural, and there is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive linking.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.5

You have demonstrated a wide and sophisticated range of vocabulary. Phrases such as 'devoted to various daily activities', 'expanded considerably', 'risen markedly', and 'indoor and solitary pursuits' show a high level of lexical control and precision. The use of collocations is natural and accurate, and you have avoided repetition by using varied synonyms for 'increase' and 'decrease'. There are no errors in word choice or spelling, and the language is well-suited to an academic report.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

The response displays a wide range of grammatical structures with high accuracy. You have successfully used complex sentence forms, such as 'going out with friends or family, which previously represented nearly one-fifth of daily activities (19%), fell dramatically to a mere 6%'. Punctuation is used correctly to manage clauses, and there are no grammatical errors. The control over tense and aspect is consistent, and the majority of sentences are error-free, reflecting a high level of proficiency.

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

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