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 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 8.5)

The pie chart illustrates the proportions of different locations where young people in an Australian town attend dance classes, while the horizontal bar chart compares the number of students enrolled in three specific styles of dance across two distinct age groups: under 11 and 11 to 16.

Looking at the location breakdown, private studios dominate the choices, hosting nearly half of all dance students at 48%. School halls utilized for after-school classes make up the second largest share at 24%, which is exactly double the proportion of college-based studios, the least common venue at 10%. Community halls and other miscellaneous locations account for the remaining 18%.

Regarding the styles of dance, ballet shows the sharpest divide between the groups, attracting 600 students under 11 years old but only half that number from the 11–16 age bracket. Conversely, modern dance is significantly more popular among the older group, with approximately 520 teenagers participating compared to 300 younger children. Meanwhile, tap dance sees the most consistent attendance between the two groups, drawing around 450 younger pupils and just slightly fewer older students at roughly 420.

Overall, private studios are by far the most popular venue for dance classes among youth. In terms of dance preferences, younger children under the age of 11 favor ballet, whereas the older demographic of 11- to 16-year-olds shows a stronger preference for modern dance.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

You have provided a comprehensive summary of the data, covering all key features of both the pie and bar charts. You successfully identified the most popular venue (private studios) and highlighted the significant trends in dance styles across the two age groups. The comparison between the age groups is clear and well-supported by the data provided. The overview at the end effectively synthesizes the main trends, ensuring the response is fully developed and meets all requirements of the task. No information is missing, and the data is reported accurately.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, body paragraphs focusing on distinct data sets, and a concise summary. The progression of ideas is smooth, and you have used cohesive devices such as 'while', 'conversely', and 'meanwhile' effectively to link sentences and contrast information. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the two different types of charts, which helps the reader follow the analysis easily. The flow of information is natural and professional throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for an academic report. Phrases like 'proportions of different locations', 'sharpest divide', and 'consistent attendance' show precision. You avoid repetition by using varied terminology for the data, such as 'share', 'proportion', and 'bracket'. The vocabulary is used accurately and naturally, contributing to a clear and sophisticated tone. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or collocation, and the language is well-suited to the task requirements.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

Your writing displays a high level of grammatical control. You have used a variety of complex sentence structures, such as participial phrases ('School halls utilized for after-school classes...') and subordinate clauses, with high accuracy. Punctuation is used correctly to manage the flow of information. There are no significant grammatical errors, and the majority of your sentences are error-free. The control over tense and subject-verb agreement is consistent, reflecting a strong command of English grammar suitable for this level.

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