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 illustrates past, current and projected rates of overweight people in nine selected OECD countries between 1970 and 2020.

Overall, overweight rates are expected to rise in all countries throughout the period. The USA records the highest proportion of overweight people, while Korea consistently has the lowest rate. Canada and England also experience substantial increases, whereas France and Korea show relatively modest growth.

At the beginning of the period, the USA had the highest overweight rate at approximately 45%, followed by England at around 43%. Australia and Austria recorded figures of roughly 38%, while France and Korea were considerably lower, at about 30% and 25%, respectively. Over the following decades, the proportion of overweight people increased steadily in most countries. England and Canada rose sharply, reaching approximately 68% and 69%, respectively, by 2020. The USA also experienced a continuous upward trend and is projected to peak at around 74%, maintaining its position as the country with the highest prevalence of overweight individuals.

The remaining countries witnessed more moderate growth. Spain increased from approximately 43% to 55%, while Italy climbed from around 35% to just over 45%. Australia and Austria are expected to finish at roughly 46% and 44%, respectively. By contrast, France and Korea remain the least affected, despite gradual increases to around 35% and 34% by the end of the period.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the task. You have provided a clear overview of the trends and successfully selected key features to illustrate the data. The comparisons between countries are relevant and well-supported by the figures provided. You have effectively identified the highest and lowest performers (USA and Korea) and noted the general upward trend across all nine countries. The data is accurately reported, and the structure allows for a logical comparison of the past, current, and projected states. No information is missing, and the summary is comprehensive and well-focused on the main trends.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The response is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a distinct focus: the introduction and overview, the high-performing countries, and the moderate/low-performing countries. Cohesive devices such as 'whereas', 'by contrast', and 'followed by' are used effectively to link ideas and create a smooth flow. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate different aspects of the data. The referencing is clear, and the information is presented in a way that is easy for the reader to follow throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic report. Phrases such as 'substantial increases', 'continuous upward trend', and 'prevalence of overweight individuals' show a sophisticated command of language. The use of 'modest growth' and 'least affected' provides precise descriptions of the data. There are no spelling errors, and the word choices are consistently accurate and natural. The vocabulary is varied enough to avoid repetition, which contributes to the overall clarity and professional tone of the report.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

The response displays a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences and accurate use of subordinate clauses. Punctuation is used correctly throughout, and there are no significant grammatical errors. The control over tense usage—shifting between past, present, and future projections—is handled with precision. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the few structures used are consistently accurate. The writing is fluent and demonstrates a high level of grammatical control, which is appropriate for a high band score.

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.