Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-09
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 8.0)
The line graph illustrates the number of participants in five activities — film club, martial arts, amateur dramatics, table tennis, and musical performances — at a social center in Melbourne between 2000 and 2020.
Overall, the film club was consistently the most popular activity throughout the period, while martial arts also remained fairly stable. Table tennis saw the most dramatic rise, overtaking amateur dramatics, which was the only activity to decline. Musical performances did not begin until partway through the period but grew steadily thereafter.
In 2000, the film club had around 65 participants, the highest of all five activities, and this figure fluctuated only slightly, dipping to about 60 in 2010 before returning to roughly 65 by 2020. Martial arts started with approximately 38 members and remained relatively steady throughout, ending the period at a similar level, between 30 and 40 participants.
Amateur dramatics and table tennis began at lower and fairly similar levels, with about 25 and 17 participants respectively in 2000. Both converged at around 20 participants by 2010, but their paths then diverged sharply: table tennis surged to over 50 participants by 2020, becoming the second most popular activity, while amateur dramatics fell continuously to just around 5 participants, the lowest figure recorded for any activity in the entire period.
Musical performances did not exist as an activity in 2000 but were introduced around 2005. Participation rose steadily from that point, reaching roughly 12 members by 2010 and approximately 16–20 by 2020.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 8.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 8.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 8.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 8.0 |
| Overall | 8.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0
The response is excellent. You have successfully identified all key features, including the overall trends, the most popular activity, and the notable divergence between table tennis and amateur dramatics. The inclusion of an overview paragraph is a strength, as it provides a clear summary of the main trends. You have used data points effectively to support your descriptions, such as citing the specific participant numbers for the film club and the decline in amateur dramatics. The information is accurate and well-selected, meeting all requirements of the task.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0
The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a distinct focus, moving from the general overview to specific details about the activities. You have used a variety of cohesive devices, such as 'while,' 'however,' 'as a result,' and 'from that point,' which help the reader follow the narrative smoothly. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate the different categories of data. The flow between sentences is natural, and there is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive linking.
Lexical Resource — Band 8.0
You demonstrate a wide and flexible range of vocabulary, which is used with precision. Phrases like 'fluctuated only slightly,' 'converged at,' 'paths then diverged sharply,' and 'surged to' show a sophisticated command of language suitable for describing trends in a graph. The vocabulary is not only accurate but also varied, avoiding unnecessary repetition. There are no spelling errors, and the word choices are consistently appropriate for an academic report, contributing to a professional and clear tone throughout the response.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0
The response displays a high level of grammatical control. You have used a variety of complex sentence structures, such as subordinate clauses ('while martial arts also remained fairly stable') and participial phrases, with high accuracy. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the punctuation is used correctly to enhance clarity. There is a good balance between simple and complex structures, and the tense usage is consistent and appropriate for describing historical data. The writing is fluent and demonstrates a high degree of grammatical flexibility.
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