Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-01

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 the number of participants attending five different activities at a social center in Melbourne, Australia, between 2000 and 2020.Overall, table tennis and musical performances experienced an upward trend, while amateur dramatics demonstrated a downward trend. In contrast, the figures for the film club and martial arts fluctuated but ultimately remained unchanged by the end of the period. Table tennis began with around 15 participants in 2000 and showed a slight increase to 20 attendees in 2010. After this, the figure surged significantly, reaching approximately 50 by 2020. Musical performances only introduced activities in 2005 with zero attendees, but participation rose steadily to finish at around 20 people at the end of the period. Conversely, amateur dramatics started with about 15 participants in 2000 but experienced a steady decline, dropping to just 5 attendees by 2020.Meanwhile, the film club and martial arts both showed fluctuating patterns. The film club began as the most popular activity with around 65 attendees in 2000, and despite variations over the years, it finished at the exact same figure. Similarly, martial arts commenced with 35 participants and, despite some fluctuations, ended the period at its initial level.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

The response effectively covers all requirements of the task. You have successfully identified the main trends for all five activities and provided relevant comparisons. The overview is clear and highlights the key differences between the categories, such as the upward trend in table tennis versus the decline in amateur dramatics. You have selected key data points to support your descriptions, such as the starting and ending figures for the film club and martial arts. The information is accurate and well-summarised, demonstrating a clear understanding of the graph. To reach the highest band, ensure that all comparisons are explicitly linked to the time period throughout.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The response is logically organised, with a clear introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs that group the activities by their trends. The progression of ideas is smooth, and you have used a variety of cohesive devices such as 'In contrast', 'Conversely', and 'Meanwhile' to transition between different categories. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate the general trends from the specific data points. The referencing is clear throughout, and the flow of information is easy to follow. The structure is well-managed, and the use of cohesive devices is both flexible and natural, contributing to a coherent and well-structured report.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe trends and data points with precision. Phrases such as 'upward trend', 'surged significantly', 'steady decline', and 'fluctuating patterns' are used accurately and appropriately in the context of a line graph. There is a good level of control over word choice, and you have avoided repetitive language. While the vocabulary is accurate and fits the task well, incorporating a few more sophisticated or less common collocations could further enhance the lexical range. Overall, the vocabulary is precise and contributes to a professional tone.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

The response demonstrates a good command of grammatical structures. You have used a mix of simple and complex sentences effectively, such as 'The film club began as the most popular activity with around 65 attendees in 2000, and despite variations over the years, it finished at the exact same figure.' Punctuation is generally accurate, and the sentences are error-free for the most part. There is a good variety of structures, and the control over tense usage is consistent throughout the report. The writing is clear and easy to read, with no significant grammatical errors that impede communication.

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