Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · IELTS Summit Mastery · 2026-07-31

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

The table below shows the change in some household types in Great Britain from 1971 to 2007.

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

PEOPLE IN HOUSEHOLDS BY TYPE OF HOUSEHOLD AND FAMILY

Student answer (Band 8.5)

The table illustrates the percentages of people living in different household and family types in Great Britain between 1971 and 2007.

Overall, couples with dependent children constituted the largest household type throughout the period, despite experiencing a steady decline. In contrast, the proportions of one-person households, childless couples and lone-parent families all witnessed noticeable increases, whereas households with non-dependent children remained comparatively stable.

Turning to the dominant household categories, couples with dependent children accounted for 52% of the population in 1971.This figure declined consistently to 47% in 1981 and 41% in 1991, before falling further to 39% in 2001 and 36% by 2007. Meanwhile, couples without children represented 19% at the beginning of the period. Their share increased gradually to 20% in 1981 and 23% in 1991, eventually reaching 25% in both 2001 and 2007.

By comparison, the remaining household types were considerably less prevalent. One person household rose steadily from 6% in 1971 to 8% in 1981 and 11% in 1991 before stabilising at 12% in the final two years. Likewise, the proportion of lone-parent families tripled, climbing from 4% to 12% over the period. In contrast, households consisting of couples with non-dependent children exhibited only minor fluctuations, edging up from 10% to 11% in 1991 before slipping slightly to 9% in both 2001 and 2007. Notably, the percentage of couples with dependent children remained approximately three times as high as that of one-person households in 2007.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

The response effectively addresses all parts of the task. You have provided a clear overview of the main trends and selected relevant data points to support your descriptions. The comparison between the categories is well-handled, and you have successfully identified the key features, such as the decline in couples with dependent children and the growth in lone-parent families. The information is accurate and well-supported by the data provided in the table. To reach the highest band, ensure that you consistently highlight the most significant contrasts throughout the report.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The response is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. You use a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'In contrast,' 'Meanwhile,' and 'By comparison,' which help the reader follow the development of your argument. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the overview from the detailed analysis of the different household types. The flow between sentences is smooth, and the referencing is clear throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic report. Phrases like 'constituted the largest household type,' 'witnessed noticeable increases,' and 'remained comparatively stable' show a good level of precision. There is a flexible use of language, and the terminology related to the data is accurate. The vocabulary is natural and contributes to the overall clarity of the report. You have avoided repetition and used a variety of verbs to describe trends effectively.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

The response displays a high level of grammatical control. You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures accurately. Punctuation is generally correct, and there are very few errors. The majority of your sentences are error-free, which indicates a strong command of English grammar. The use of participial phrases and comparative structures adds to the sophistication of the writing. The few minor slips do not impede communication in any way.

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