Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-31
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 charts illustrate where young people in an Australian town attend dance classes and compare the popularity of three dance styles among two age groups, namely children under 11 and those aged 11 to 16.
Overall, private studios are by far the most popular venue for dance lessons, while college-based studios are the least preferred. In terms of dance styles, ballet is considerably more popular among younger children, whereas modern dance attracts a much larger proportion of teenagers. Tap dance enjoys relatively similar levels of participation in both age groups.
Regarding the location of classes, 48% of young dancers attend lessons in private studios, making this by far the dominant venue. School halls (after-school) account for almost a quarter (24%) of enrolments. Meanwhile, community halls and other venues represent 18%, whereas only 10% of students attend college-based studios, the smallest proportion.
Turning to the types of dance classes, ballet is overwhelmingly favoured by children under 11, with approximately 600 students participating, compared with only around 300 teenagers. The opposite pattern is evident for modern dance, which is attended by just over 500 students aged 11 to 16, almost double the figure for younger children, at roughly 300.
By contrast, tap dancing attracts comparable numbers in both age groups. Around 450 children under 11 take tap classes, only slightly exceeding the figure of approximately 420 among those aged 11 to 16.
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 all key features of the charts, including the location preferences and the comparative popularity of dance styles across the two age groups. The overview is clear and provides a concise summary of the main trends. You have effectively used data to support your points, such as the 48% figure for private studios and the specific numbers for ballet and modern dance. The comparison between the two age groups is well-handled, and the report is fully developed, meeting all requirements of the task.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5
The response is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a distinct focus: the introduction, the overall summary, the location data, and the dance style data. You have used a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'In terms of', 'Meanwhile', 'Turning to', and 'By contrast', which help the reader follow the argument smoothly. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate different aspects of the data, and referencing is clear throughout the text.
Lexical Resource — Band 8.5
You demonstrate a wide and sophisticated range of vocabulary. Phrases such as 'by far the dominant venue', 'overwhelmingly favoured', and 'comparable numbers' show a high level of control. The vocabulary is precise and fits the academic context of the task perfectly. There are no errors in word choice or collocation, and the language used is natural and fluent throughout the report.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5
The response displays a wide range of grammatical structures with full flexibility and accuracy. You have successfully used complex sentences, such as 'The opposite pattern is evident for modern dance, which is attended by just over 500 students...', and maintained consistent control over tense and subject-verb agreement. Punctuation is used correctly to enhance clarity. There are no grammatical errors, and the writing is error-free, reflecting a high level of proficiency.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.