Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · IELTS Academic Practice Accelerator · 2026-09-29

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

The table gives information about the average hours spent on the Internet by European people of different age groups.

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

Average hours spent on the Internet by European people of different age groups

Student answer (Band 8.0)

The table compares the average number of hours that European males and females in six different age groups spend on the Internet.

Overall, Internet usage is highest among people aged 16–20, while those aged 51 and over spend the least amount of time online. In every age group except the two oldest, males spend more time on the Internet than females. The difference between the genders is particularly noticeable among 16–20-year-olds.

People aged 16–20 spend considerably more time online than any other group, at an average of 19 hours per week for males and 18 hours for females. Among 11–15-year-olds, the corresponding figures are much lower, at 8 and 6 hours respectively. Internet use then declines sharply among those aged 21–25, with males averaging 7 hours and females 5 hours per week.

The downward trend continues among older users. Both men and women aged 26–30 spend an average of 4 hours online each week. In the 31–50 age group, however, female usage is slightly higher than male usage, at 4 hours compared with 3. The oldest group records the lowest figures overall, with males spending just 2 hours and females 3 hours per week.

AI examiner evaluation

CriterionBand
Task Achievement / Task Response7.5
Coherence and Cohesion8.0
Lexical Resource7.5
Grammatical Range and Accuracy8.0
Overall8.0

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5

The student has successfully addressed all parts of the task by reporting the main features of the table and making relevant comparisons between the age groups and genders. An appropriate overview is provided in the second paragraph, highlighting the peak usage among 16-20-year-olds and the lowest usage among those aged 51 and over, as well as the general gender trend. The body paragraphs accurately select and report data from the visual prompt without introducing any significant inaccuracies or missing essential details. All figures cited for males and females across the various age brackets are correct and properly integrated to support the comparisons. The response meets all requirements for a Band 8 level in Task Achievement.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 8.0

The response is exceptionally well-structured and logically sequenced. The introduction clearly paraphrases the prompt, followed by a strong overview paragraph that outlines the key trends. The body paragraphs follow a clear chronological or age-based progression from the youngest to the oldest cohorts, making the data very easy to follow. Cohesive devices are used naturally and effectively without being obtrusive. Phrases such as 'In every age group except', 'The downward trend continues', and 'In the 31-50 age group, however' establish clear logical links between sentences and paragraphs. Paragraphing is used appropriately to group related information together, demonstrating complete control over coherence and cohesion.

Lexical Resource: Band 7.5

The student demonstrates a wide, flexible, and natural range of vocabulary suitable for an Academic Task 1 response. Less common lexical items and collocations are used skillfully and accurately throughout the text. Examples include 'declines sharply', 'downward trend', 'corresponding figures', and 'particularly noticeable'. Word choices are precise, and there are no noticeable errors in spelling or word formation. The student avoids repetitive language by skillfully varying phrases to describe increases, decreases, and comparisons. The lexical resource displayed comfortably meets the criteria for a high band score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 8.0

The response exhibits a wide range of grammatical structures used with a high degree of accuracy. The writer successfully employs both simple and complex sentence forms, such as subordinate clauses and participial phrases, without losing control of syntax. Examples of complex structures include 'Overall, Internet usage is highest among people aged 16–20, while those aged 51 and over spend the least amount of time online' and 'In every age group except the two oldest, males spend more time on the Internet than females.' The majority of sentences are completely error-free, and punctuation is handled impeccably. Grammar and mechanics do not impede communication in any way.

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.