Band 4.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.5 · IELTS Momentum Workout · 2026-10-01

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 4.5)

The line graph illustrates past and projected overweight rates in percentages in OECD countries(USA, England, Canada, Spain, Austria, Italy, France, Korea). The data ranges from 1970 to 2020.

The earliest rate of obesity is marked in the USA very shortly after 1970. The USA remained the country with highest overweight rate throughout the graph starting with around 45%. Although, the rate dipped a bit near 1980, it had a steller growth and it has been projected to reach over 70% on 2020. England's overweight rate was under 50% on 1990 and it had grown 10% in two decades. The future rate shows it will grow rapidly after 2010, reaching nearly 70% by 2020. Australia displays traits of rapid growth in overweight population. It started below 35% before 1990 and reached over 60% in three decades.

Canada, Austria

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 3.5

The response only partially addresses the task requirements. First, it fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, stopping abruptly at 137 words with an incomplete sentence ("Canada, Austria"). Second, the selection of information is limited and stops well short of an adequate summary of the data provided in the graph. While it attempts to mention a few countries such as the USA, England, and Australia, key features and comparisons across the full scope of the nine countries are missing. There is no overall overview provided to encapsulate the main trends shown in the chart. To move up, the writer must ensure the word count requirement is fully met, provide a clear overall trend summary, and report key features and comparisons for the rest of the countries presented.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.0

The response displays some basic organisation with an introductory sentence and subsequent body sentences, but there is no clear overall progression due to the incomplete nature of the text. Paragraphing is attempted, but the abrupt ending severely disrupts the logical flow of the response. Cohesive devices are minimal, relying mostly on simple connectors like "Although" and "and". Referencing and substitution are occasionally imprecise, and the lack of a concluding or transitional structure between ideas leaves the information fragmented. To improve, the writer should structure the response logically with a clear introduction, well-developed body paragraphs featuring smooth transitions, and an overview or conclusion that ties the main trends together.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

The vocabulary used is minimally adequate for the task, attempting some less common items such as "projected", "overweight rates", and "steller growth", though these are accompanied by lexical inaccuracies like "steller" (stellar) and some repetitive phrasing. Word choice is occasionally awkward or imprecise, such as "displays traits of rapid growth", which restricts the precision of the descriptions. Spelling and word-form errors are noticeable but do not completely impede communication. To achieve a higher band, the writer needs to incorporate a wider range of precise, topic-specific vocabulary related to data trends, fluctuations, and projections, while eliminating spelling errors and awkward lexical collocations.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The writer demonstrates a limited range of sentence structures, primarily relying on simple and straightforward compound sentences. While there are some attempts at complex structures, such as concessive clauses ("Although, the rate dipped a bit near 1980"), frequent errors in grammar and punctuation appear throughout the text. Issues include incorrect prepositions (e.g., writing "on 2020" instead of "in 2020"), inappropriate comma placement before clauses, and missing articles. These errors require some effort from the reader to interpret the intended meaning. To improve, the writer should incorporate a greater variety of complex grammatical structures while enhancing accuracy in verb tenses, prepositions, and punctuation.

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

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