Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Recent IELTS Exams (Canada & India) · 2026-09-14

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

Overall, working and sleeping accounted for the largest proportions of time in both years. Over the 50-year period, adults spent a considerably greater share of their day working and commuting, while the proportions devoted to sleeping and socialising declined.

In 1958, working was the most significant activity, representing 33% of the day, closely followed by sleeping at 32%. Going out with friends and family accounted for 19%, making it the third-largest category. By contrast, adults spent relatively little time relaxing at home (8%) and travelling to work (2%). The remaining 6% was devoted to playing sports.

By 2008, the proportion of time spent working had risen markedly to 42%, making it by far the largest category. Time allocated to relaxing at home also increased, from 8% to 13%. Similarly, commuting became more common, rising from 2% to 7%. In contrast, the percentage of the day spent sleeping fell from 32% to 25%, while going out with friends and family experienced a dramatic decline from 19% to 6%. Time spent playing sports showed a slight increase, reaching 7% in 2008.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response fully satisfies the requirements of Academic Writing Task 1 by providing a clear and comprehensive overview of the two pie charts. The introduction accurately paraphrases the prompt, while the overall summary highlights the primary trends effectively without getting bogged down in unnecessary data. The body paragraphs successfully report the main features and make relevant comparisons across both years, noting specific figures such as the rise in working hours from 33% to 42% and the decline in sleeping time from 32% to 25%. All key categories are addressed and supported with accurate numerical data from the charts, meeting the Band 8 descriptor for covering all parts of the task well with well-developed ideas.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The essay demonstrates a clear and logical progression of ideas throughout. Information is organised effectively into four distinct paragraphs, starting with an introduction and overall trend summary, followed by detailed breakdowns of 1958 and 2008 respectively. Cohesive devices are used naturally and appropriately to guide the reader through comparisons, such as 'By contrast', 'By 2008', and 'Similarly'. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, ensuring each section has a distinct focus. Referencing is clear and unambiguous throughout the text, satisfying the criteria for logical sequencing and well-managed cohesion.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

The student exhibits a wide and flexible vocabulary range suitable for an academic task, employing precise terminology such as 'allocated', 'proportions', 'considerably greater share', and 'dramatic decline'. Less common lexical items are used skilfully and naturally, for example, 'rising markedly' and 'experiencing a dramatic decline'. Word choice and collocations are generally accurate, with only minor natural phrasing choices present. The language demonstrates sufficient flexibility and precision, easily meeting the expectations of a Band 7.5 or 8.0 level for lexical resource.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The response contains a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences with subordinate clauses ('The pie charts compare how working adults...', 'while the proportions devoted to...'). The majority of sentences are completely error-free, and control over tense and punctuation is strong and consistent throughout the text. Complex structures are handled with good control and accuracy, meaning the writing meets the Band 8 criteria where the majority of sentences are error-free with only very occasional minor slips, which are absent here.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.