Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · IELTS Summit Mastery · 2026-09-25

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

The graph below shows the perceived danger and actual likelihood of being a victim of crime.

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

Perceived and actual likelihood of being a victim of crime: by crime type

Student answer (Band 8.0)

The bar chart compares the public's perception of the risk of experiencing crime with the actual statistical probability of becoming a victim across three distinct categories—burglary, car crime, and violent crime—over two consecutive fiscal years (2009/10 and 2010/11).

Overall, public anxiety regarding crime consistently and significantly outstripped the reality across all measured offenses and periods. Additionally, while the perceived threat of crime experienced a slight decline from 2009/10 to 2010/11 for all types, car crime remained the most feared and statistically prevalent violation.

Regarding perceived danger, car crime was viewed as the most prominent threat, with 21% of people expecting to be targeted in 2009/10, a figure that dropped slightly to roughly 17% the following year. Public concern for burglary and violent crime followed nearly identical patterns; approximately 15% of respondents anticipated being a victim of these crimes in 2009/10, before both anxieties marginally eased to around 13% to 14% in 2010/11.

In stark contrast, the actual likelihood of experiencing any of these crimes was remarkably low across both years, falling entirely below the 10% threshold. In reality, less than 4% of citizens fell victim to burglary or violent crime in either period, highlighting a substantial gap between public apprehension and actual criminal activity.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 8.0

The candidate has provided an exceptional response to the task, successfully covering all main features of the chart. The overview clearly identifies the overarching trend that public anxiety significantly exceeded actual crime rates across all categories and periods. Specific data points are accurately cited, such as the 21% perceived threat of car crime in 2009/10 and the actual figures falling below 10%. Comparisons between perceived and actual likelihoods are made effectively and thoroughly. The response meets all requirements for Band 8, as it presents a fully developed and well-supported overview of the visual data without missing key details.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 8.0

The response exhibits a clear and logical organization from start to finish. Ideas are well-sequenced, beginning with an introductory paraphrase and a strong overarching summary in the second paragraph. Subsequent paragraphs are dedicated to specific facets of the data: perceived danger and actual likelihood. Cohesive devices are used naturally and unobtrusively, such as 'Overall,' 'Additionally,' and 'In stark contrast,' which guide the reader smoothly through the text. Paragraphing is fully appropriate and contributes to the overall clarity and progression of the writing.

Lexical Resource: Band 8.0

The student demonstrates a wide, fluent, and flexible lexical resource that is well-suited to academic writing. Advanced vocabulary and collocation are employed naturally throughout the response, including phrases like 'public anxiety,' 'outstripped the reality,' 'statistical probability,' and 'substantial gap.' Word choices are precise, and there are no noticeable inaccuracies in spelling or word formation. The range of vocabulary allows the student to convey complex ideas concisely and effectively, fully justifying a Band 8 score for this criterion.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 8.0

The writing features a wide range of complex grammatical structures executed with a high degree of accuracy. The majority of sentences are completely error-free. The student skillfully integrates subordinate clauses, participial phrases, and varied sentence openings, such as 'regarding perceived danger, car crime was viewed as...' and 'highlighting a substantial gap between public apprehension and actual criminal activity.' Punctuation is handled flawlessly, and control over tense and agreement is maintained throughout. This performance aligns comfortably with the descriptors for Band 8.

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