Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · IELTS Momentum Workout · 2026-08-04

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 6.5)

The line graph illustrates the trends in overweight rates for nine selected OECD countries between 1970 and 2020, along with projections for the future.

Overall, the proportion of overweight individuals has shown a consistent upward trend in all nine countries throughout the period. While there are variations in the starting points and the pace of growth, every nation is projected to experience a further increase in these rates by 2020.

In 1970, the USA had the highest rate of overweight individuals at approximately 45%, while Korea had the lowest, starting well below 20%. Over the following decades, the USA remained the country with the highest percentage, reaching nearly 70% by 2020. Conversely, although Korea experienced a significant increase, it maintained the lowest rate among the selected countries, remaining under 40% by the end of the year.

Other countries, such as England, Spain, Canada, Austria, Australia, Italy, and France, followed a similar growth pattern. By the early 2000s, most of these nations saw their overweight rates climb into the 40% to 50% range. Projections indicate that by 2020, almost all these countries will have surpassed or closely approached the 50% mark, with the gaps between the different nations narrowing over time.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response effectively identifies the main trends and provides a clear overview of the data. You have successfully highlighted the consistent upward trajectory across all countries and made relevant comparisons between the highest (USA) and lowest (Korea) performers. The inclusion of specific data points, such as the USA reaching 70% and Korea remaining under 40%, demonstrates a good grasp of the information. To reach a higher band, ensure that all key features are highlighted; while you grouped several countries together, providing a bit more detail on the specific groupings or notable shifts in the middle-range countries would further strengthen the analysis.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, overview, and body paragraphs that group information effectively. The progression of ideas is smooth, moving from the general trend to specific country comparisons. Cohesive devices such as 'While,' 'Conversely,' and 'Other countries' are used appropriately to link sentences and ideas. The paragraphing is logical and contributes to the overall clarity of the response. The structure is well-managed, and the reader can easily follow the comparison of data points throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey information with precision. Phrases like 'consistent upward trend,' 'significant increase,' and 'surpassed or closely approached' are used effectively. There is an awareness of style appropriate for an academic report. While the vocabulary is accurate and fits the context well, incorporating a few more sophisticated or less common lexical items related to data trends (e.g., 'plateaued,' 'fluctuated,' or 'marginal') would elevate the response further. Overall, the word choice is natural and supports clear communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The response displays a good variety of complex structures, such as the use of subordinate clauses ('While there are variations...', 'although Korea experienced...'). The grammar is generally accurate, with the majority of sentences being error-free. Punctuation is used correctly to manage sentence flow. There are no significant errors that impede meaning, and the control over tense usage—shifting between past data and future projections—is handled well. The writing is fluent and demonstrates a solid command of English grammar suitable for this task.

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