Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · IELTS Summit Mastery · 2026-09-02

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 8.0)

The provided data delineates structural shifts in household demographics across Great Britain across a 36-year span from 1971 to 2007 .

Overall, nuclear family configurations with dependent children experienced a pronounced contraction, whereas single-person and lone-parent accommodations grew substantially .

In 1971, households comprising couples with dependent children constituted the absolute majority at 52% . However, this demographic underwent a steady erosion, plummeting to 36% by 2007 . Conversely, couple units without children exhibited a rising trajectory, ascending from 19% to 25% over the same timeframe . Meanwhile, households featuring non-dependent children remained remarkably stable, hovering between 9% and 11% throughout the period .

Regarding non-traditional domestic setups, single-occupancy residences doubled from 6% in 1971 to 12% in 2007. A parallel and more dramatic proportional surge occurred within lone-parent households, which tripled from a modest 4% to reach 12% by the final surveyed year. Ultimately, these figures highlight a distinct societal evolution toward smaller, more fragmented living arrangements over the four-decade period.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response effectively addresses the prompt by identifying the main trends and making relevant comparisons. You have successfully highlighted the key shifts, such as the decline in nuclear families and the rise in single-person and lone-parent households. The data is accurately reported, and the overview provides a clear summary of the overall societal change. You have covered all parts of the task well, and the information is well-selected to support the main features of the table. No significant omissions are present, and the response is fully developed.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, a concise overview, and two body paragraphs that group information effectively. Cohesive devices such as 'However', 'Conversely', 'Meanwhile', and 'Ultimately' are used skillfully to guide the reader through the data. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the traditional family structures from the non-traditional ones. The progression of ideas is smooth, and referencing is clear throughout the text, making the information easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You demonstrate a wide and sophisticated range of vocabulary, which is highly appropriate for an academic task. Phrases like 'delineates structural shifts', 'pronounced contraction', 'steady erosion', and 'fragmented living arrangements' show a high level of lexical control and precision. The use of less common items is natural and contributes to the formal tone of the report. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or collocation, and the vocabulary is used with flexibility to describe trends accurately.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The response displays a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences and varied clause types, used with high accuracy. The majority of sentences are error-free, and the punctuation is handled correctly. You have successfully integrated comparative structures and time-based clauses to report the data. There are no significant grammatical errors, and the control over sentence structure is consistent throughout the piece, reflecting a high level of proficiency.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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