Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · IELTS Momentum Workout · 2026-08-01

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

The line graph below shows past and current overweight rates, as well as a projected future overweight rate in nine selected countries.

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

Past and projected future overweight rates in selected OECD countries

Student answer (Band 8.5)

The line graph compares the proportions of overweight people in nine selected OECD countries between 1970 and 2020, including projected figures for the later years.

Overall, it is evident that overweight rates increased in all countries over the period and are expected to continue rising. The USA recorded the highest percentages throughout, while KOrea remained the country with the lowest levels. Most other nations showed steady upward trends, although the pace of growth differed considerably.

In the United States, the proportion of overweight people stood at about 45% in 1970 before rising sharply after the mid-1980s. It is projected to reach approximately 74% by 2020. Canada followed a similar pattern, increasing from around 45% in the early 1990s to nearly 70% at the end of the period. England also experienced significant growth, climbing from roughly 33% to about 64%.

The remaining countries had lower figures. Spain rose steadily from approximately 38% to around 55%, while Australia and Austria are expected to finish at about 46%. France increased more gradually, from just under 30% to roughly 45%. Italy showed only a modest rise to around 35%, whereas Korea remained the least affected,growing from about 25% in the late 1990s to only 35% by 2020.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

You have provided a clear and accurate summary of the main trends shown in the graph. You successfully identified the overall upward trend, highlighted the highest and lowest performers (USA and Korea), and grouped the remaining countries logically to avoid a list-like description. The key features are well-selected, and you have made effective comparisons between the countries. The data points cited are accurate and support your observations well. To reach a higher band, ensure that all data points are clearly linked to the specific years mentioned in the prompt, as some of your groupings (e.g., 'Australia and Austria are expected to finish at about 46%') are slightly vague regarding the timeline.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs that group the countries by their performance levels. The progression of ideas is smooth, and you use cohesive devices such as 'while,' 'although,' 'whereas,' and 'in contrast' effectively to connect your points. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the high-performing countries from those with lower figures. The flow of information is natural, and the reader can easily follow the comparison between the different nations throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for a report on statistical data. Phrases such as 'recorded the highest percentages,' 'steady upward trends,' 'pace of growth,' and 'least affected' are used accurately. You avoid repetition by using varied verbs and descriptors. While the vocabulary is sufficient and precise, incorporating a few more sophisticated collocations or topic-specific terms (e.g., 'a significant upward trajectory' or 'a marginal increase') would further enhance the lexical quality and help you reach the highest band.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

Your grammar is strong, with a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You use subordinate clauses effectively, such as in 'The USA recorded the highest percentages throughout, while Korea remained the country with the lowest levels.' Punctuation is generally accurate, and there are very few errors. The sentences are clear and easy to read. To improve, ensure consistent control over tense usage when discussing projections versus past data, although you have handled the shift between past and future tenses quite well here.

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