Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-07-26

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

The charts below give information on the location and types of dance classes young people in a town in Australia are currently attending.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

Student answer (Band 8.0)

The pie chart illustrates the locations where dance classes are held. Overall, private studios are the most popular venue, while college-based studios account for the smallest share. Nearly half of all classes (48%) take place in private studios. School halls used for after-school activities represent 24%, making them the second most common location. Community halls and other venues make up 18% of classes. In contrast, only 10% of dance classes are conducted in college-based studios, the lowest proportion among all venues.

The bar chart compares the number of students in three types of dance classes across two age groups. Among children under 11, ballet is the most popular class, attracting around 600 students, while modern dance has the fewest participants at approximately 300. In contrast, teenagers aged 11–16 prefer modern dance, with just over 500 students enrolled. Tap dancing is similarly popular in both age groups, with about 450 younger students and 420 older students.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response effectively addresses all parts of the task. You have provided a clear overview of the data and selected the main features from both the pie and bar charts. The comparison between the two age groups is well-handled, and the data points are accurately reported. To reach a higher band, you could provide a more integrated comparison between the two charts if possible, or ensure that the 'main features' are highlighted even more distinctly in the opening summary. However, the current response is well-developed and covers all requirements of the prompt.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The response is logically organized, with a clear separation between the two charts in distinct paragraphs. The progression of ideas is smooth, and you use cohesive devices such as 'Overall', 'In contrast', and 'while' effectively to link information. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the information flows logically from the general overview to specific data points. The use of referencing is clear, and the structure of the report is easy to follow throughout.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey the information clearly. Phrases like 'account for the smallest share', 'lowest proportion', and 'attracting around 600 students' are accurate and appropriate for an academic report. While the vocabulary is functional and precise, it is somewhat standard. To achieve a higher band, you could incorporate more sophisticated collocations or varied synonyms for 'popular' and 'number of students' to show greater lexical flexibility.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

The response displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Your grammar is generally accurate, with no significant errors that impede communication. You successfully use comparative structures and subordinate clauses, such as 'while modern dance has the fewest participants at approximately 300'. The punctuation is handled correctly, and the sentence control is consistent. The writing is error-free for the most part, which is a strong indicator of good grammatical control.

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