Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · 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 6.5)

The two pie charts provide key information about how working adults spent their time on various activities in 1958 and 2008. Overall, the data shows that in both years, adults spent most of their time working or sleeping. These two sections together represented more than half of their time in both years. In addition, the proportions of time spent relaxing at home, working and travelling to work rose between the two years, whereas sleeping and going out decreased over the same period.

According to what is shown, the percentages of time spent sleeping and going out with friends and family decreased from 32 percent to 25 percent and from 19 percent to 6 percent, respectively, over the period. In contrast, the proportion of time spent travelling experienced more than three-fold increase from 1958 to 2008. Similarly, the share of time spent relaxing at home and spent working climbed moderately. In addition , in both years, most time is spent working; it accounted for 33 percent in 1958 and 42 percent in 2008.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response effectively identifies the main features and provides a clear overview of the trends. You have successfully selected key data points to support your comparisons, such as the shift in time spent working and the significant decline in social activities. The comparison between 1958 and 2008 is well-handled, and the inclusion of specific percentages adds necessary detail. To reach a higher band, ensure that all categories are addressed with equal clarity; for instance, the 'relaxing at home' category is mentioned but could be more explicitly linked to its specific percentage change to provide a more comprehensive summary.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, a summary paragraph, and a body paragraph detailing the data. You use cohesive devices effectively, such as 'In contrast', 'Similarly', and 'In addition', to guide the reader through the comparisons. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the overview from the specific data analysis. The progression of ideas is smooth, and referencing is clear throughout the text. To improve further, ensure that the transition between the overview and the specific data points is even more seamless to avoid a slightly mechanical feel in the structure.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey information precisely, using terms like 'proportions', 'experienced', and 'climbed moderately'. The use of 'three-fold increase' is a good example of using more sophisticated language to describe data. There are no significant spelling or word-choice errors that impede communication. To move into the higher bands, try to incorporate a wider variety of collocations and less common lexical items, such as 'a significant surge' or 'a marginal decline', to add more nuance to your descriptions of the trends.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The response displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation is generally sound. You successfully use comparative structures, such as 'whereas sleeping and going out decreased', which demonstrates grammatical flexibility. While the grammar is accurate, the range of complex structures is somewhat limited. To achieve a higher score, try to incorporate a greater variety of subordinate clauses or passive voice constructions to describe the data, which would demonstrate a more sophisticated command of English grammar.

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

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