Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)
The Pie charts compare the percentages of the day spent by working adults in five different activities in 1958 and 2008. The data is calibrated in percentage.
Overall, the porportion of working accounted for by far the largest proportion in both 1958 and 2008, while the minimum number was in Travelling to work and playing sports in 1958 and 2008.
In 1958, working devoted an overwhelming 33% of the day spending by adults, making it a most significant activity by a substantial margin. Sleeping is the second-largest category at 32%, while the going out with friends and family accounted for 19%. The remaining other activities were relatively minor, standing at 8% Relaxing at home, Travelling to work at merely 2%.
By 2008, however, the porportion of activities patterns had undergone a marked transformation. The proportion allocated to working is higher at 42%, while the going out with friends and family standing at 6%. Similarly, pattern was shown in case of playing sports and travelling to work at 7% respectively. In contrast , sleeping is at quarter of the total.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 6.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0
The response covers all parts of the task by comparing the two pie charts for 1958 and 2008. The main features are identified, such as working taking up the largest proportion in both years and increasing significantly by 2008. Key comparisons are made, and an overview is provided in the second paragraph. However, there are some inaccuracies in reporting the data; for example, the student writes 'working devoted an overwhelming 33% of the day spending by adults', whereas the chart actually shows 32% for working in 1958 and 33% for sleeping. These minor data misreadings limit the score to a Band 6.0, as some details are inaccurately reported while the general trends are successfully identified.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The response has a clear overall progression, divided into an introduction, an overview, and separate body paragraphs for each year. Cohesive devices are used to connect ideas, such as 'Overall', 'In 1958', and 'By 2008, however'. However, referencing and paragraph cohesion are occasionally awkward, as seen in 'The remaining other activities were relatively minor, standing at 8% Relaxing at home, Travelling to work at merely 2%.' Additionally, some sentences feel mechanically structured. Paragraphing is present and appropriate, leading to a solid Band 6.0 performance.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, attempting less common items such as 'overwhelming', 'substantial margin', and 'marked transformation'. However, there are several spelling and word choice errors, including 'porportion' (repeated), 'spending' instead of 'spent', and awkward phrasing like 'the going out with friends'. There is also lexical repetition ('proportion' and 'activities' used frequently). These inaccuracies prevent the score from reaching higher bands, positioning it firmly at Band 5.5.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The writer attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, such as introductory prepositional phrases and comparative structures ('while the minimum number was in...'). However, there are frequent grammatical errors and awkward structures, including 'working devoted an overwhelming 33%', 'the going out with friends and family accounted for 19%', and 'Similarly, pattern was shown in case of playing sports'. Punctuation is also flawed in places, such as the stray space before the comma in 'In contrast ,'. While communication is not severely impeded, these recurring errors demonstrate limited control over complex grammar, justifying a Band 5.5.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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