Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-07-27
IELTS Writing Task 1 question
The graph below gives information on the numbers of participants for different activities at one social centre in Melbourne, Australia for the period 2000 to 2020.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Student answer (Band 8.5)
The line graph illustrates how many people participated in five different activities at a Melbourne social centre between 2000 and 2020.
Overall, Film Club consistently attracted the highest number of participants over the entire 20-year period, whereas Amateur Dramatics experienced the most significant decline. Conversely, Table Tennis and Musical Performances showed notable upward trends.
In 2000, Film Club led the group with approximately 64 participants and remained relatively stable, slightly increasing to about 66 by 2020. Martial Arts maintained a fairly steady attendance, hovering between 30 and 38 participants throughout the two decades.
In contrast, other activities saw dramatic changes. Amateur Dramatics started at around 26 participants in 2000, peaked at roughly 28 in 2005, but then steadily plummeted to just 6 in 2020. On the other hand, Table Tennis grew significantly from 16 participants in 2000 to 54 in 2020, becoming the second most popular activity. Lastly, Musical Performances had zero attendees until 2005, after which it rose moderately to reach nearly 18 by 2020.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 8.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 8.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 8.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 8.5 |
| Overall | 8.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5
The response effectively addresses all parts of the task. You have provided a clear overview that highlights the main trends, such as the dominance of the Film Club and the significant decline in Amateur Dramatics. The key features are well-selected, and you have made relevant comparisons throughout the report, such as contrasting the growth of Table Tennis with the decline of Amateur Dramatics. The data is accurately reported, and the information is logically grouped, ensuring the reader can easily follow the trends for each activity. The response is well-developed and meets all the requirements for a high band score in this criterion.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5
The response is logically organized with a clear structure. Each paragraph has a distinct focus: the introduction and overview, followed by two body paragraphs that group the activities effectively. You have used a variety of cohesive devices, such as 'whereas', 'conversely', 'in contrast', and 'on the other hand', to link ideas and show relationships between the data points. The progression of information is smooth, and the paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different trends. The use of referencing is clear, and the overall flow of the text is natural and easy to follow.
Lexical Resource — Band 8.0
You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey the information precisely. Phrases like 'consistently attracted', 'notable upward trends', 'steadily plummeted', and 'rose moderately' demonstrate a good command of descriptive language suitable for a graph report. The vocabulary is accurate and fits the context well. While the range is solid, incorporating a few more sophisticated collocations or varied synonyms for 'participants' or 'activities' could elevate the response further. However, the current usage is precise and there are no errors that impede communication.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5
The response displays a good range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences that are used accurately. For example, the use of subordinate clauses ('whereas Amateur Dramatics experienced...') and participial phrases ('becoming the second most popular activity') shows flexibility. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the punctuation is handled correctly. There are no significant grammatical errors, and the control over tense usage (past simple for the historical data) is consistent and correct throughout the report. The writing is clear, fluent, and demonstrates a high level of grammatical control.
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