Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-21
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 took part in five different activities—film club, martial arts, amateur dramatics, table tennis, and musical performances—at a social centre in Melbourne between 2000 and 2020.
Overall, the film club consistently attracted the largest number of participants throughout the period, while table tennis saw the most dramatic rise, eventually becoming the second most popular activity by the end. In contrast, amateur dramatics experienced a steady decline after 2005.
The film club began the period as the most popular activity, with 64 participants in 2000. This figure dipped slightly to 60 by 2010 before recovering to reach 66 by 2020, meaning it remained comfortably ahead of every other activity throughout. Martial arts followed a broadly similar pattern, fluctuating between 32 and 38 participants over the two decades and finishing close to where it started, at 36.
The most striking change occurred in table tennis, which had just 16 participants in 2000. Numbers stayed relatively flat until 2010, after which they climbed sharply, more than doubling from 20 to 54 by 2020 to become the second most popular pursuit. Musical performances showed a similar upward trajectory, albeit from a much lower base: there were no participants at all until 2005, after which numbers rose steadily to reach 18 by 2020. Amateur dramatics moved in the opposite direction. Having peaked at 28 participants in 2005, it then declined consistently, falling to just 6 by the end of the period—the lowest figure recorded for any activity across the entire twenty years.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 8.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 8.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 8.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 8.5 |
| Overall | 8.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5
The response is excellent. You have successfully identified and reported the main features of the graph, including the overall trends and significant changes. The overview is clear and highlights the most important contrasts, such as the film club's dominance and the dramatic rise of table tennis. You have also made relevant comparisons throughout the body paragraphs, such as noting the decline of amateur dramatics in contrast to the growth of other activities. All parts of the prompt are addressed thoroughly, and the data is used accurately to support your descriptions.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5
The response is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a distinct focus, moving from an overview to specific details about the activities. Cohesive devices are used naturally and effectively, such as 'In contrast,' 'Having peaked at,' and 'albeit from a much lower base.' The paragraphing is skillful, and the referencing is clear throughout, ensuring that the reader can easily follow the comparison of trends over the twenty-year period.
Lexical Resource — Band 8.5
You demonstrate a wide and precise range of vocabulary. The use of terms like 'upward trajectory,' 'fluctuating,' 'consistently,' and 'dramatic rise' shows a sophisticated control of language. The vocabulary is not only accurate but also varied, allowing you to describe trends without repetition. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or collocation, and the language used is perfectly suited to an academic report on data trends.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5
The grammatical control is excellent. You have used a variety of complex structures, such as participial phrases ('Having peaked at...') and subordinate clauses ('...meaning it remained comfortably ahead...'), with full accuracy. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the punctuation is used correctly to manage the flow of information. There is a high level of flexibility in your sentence construction, which contributes to the overall professional tone of the report.
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