Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 8.5 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-07-28
IELTS Writing Task 1 question
The charts below show the number of French adults whose parents spoke a French regional language to them when they were children and the number who speak a French regional language to their own children.
Write a report for a university lecturer describing the information below.
Number of adults (in thousands) whose parents spoke a regional language to them in childhood
Student answer (Band 8.5)
The bar charts compare the number of French measured in thousands, whose parents spoke a regional language to them during childhood and the number who now speak a regional language to their own children.
Overall, the use of French regional language has declined considerably from one generation to the next. In every language group, fewer adults speak the language to their own children than were exposed to it by their parents.
Among the regional languages, Occitan had the largest number of speakers in the older generation, with approximately 1,000 thousand adults reporting that their parents had used it with them. This was followed by Alsatian and Breton, while Corsican and Basque had noticeably smaller numbers.
A similar ranking can be seen in the second chart, although the figures are substantially lower. Around 600 thousand adults speak Occitan to their children, while the numbers for Alsatian and Breton fall to roughly 400 thousand and 300 thousand, respectively. Basque and Corsican remain the least commonly transmitted languages, with fewer than 200 thousand speakers passing them on to the next generation.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 8.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 8.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 8.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 8.0 |
| Overall | 8.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5
The response effectively addresses the task by comparing the two charts and highlighting the clear downward trend in language transmission. You have successfully identified the key features, such as the ranking of languages and the overall decline in usage. The inclusion of specific data points, such as the 1,000 thousand for Occitan and the comparative figures for the second chart, demonstrates a strong ability to select and report relevant information. The overview is clear and provides a good summary of the main trends. To reach a higher band, ensure that all units are handled consistently; for example, '1,000 thousand' is slightly redundant and could be expressed more naturally as '1 million'.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5
The response is well-organized with a logical progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a clear focus: the introduction, the overview, the first chart, and the second chart. You use cohesive devices effectively, such as 'In every language group', 'A similar ranking', and 'respectively', which help the reader follow the comparison easily. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the transition between the two charts is smooth. The information is presented in a way that is easy to follow, and the logical flow is maintained throughout the report.
Lexical Resource — Band 8.0
You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic report. Phrases like 'declined considerably', 'noticeably smaller numbers', and 'commonly transmitted' show a good level of precision. The use of 'respectively' is a sophisticated touch that adds clarity to the comparison. While the vocabulary is accurate and fits the context well, there is room to incorporate slightly more varied or academic collocations to reach the highest band. Overall, the lexical range is sufficient to convey the information clearly and effectively without any significant errors.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0
The grammar is generally accurate, with a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You demonstrate control over sentence construction, and there are no errors that impede communication. The use of relative clauses and comparative structures is handled well. For instance, 'the number of French measured in thousands, whose parents spoke...' is a complex structure that is mostly successful. To improve, ensure that punctuation and phrasing are always precise, such as avoiding the slight awkwardness in the opening sentence. The majority of your sentences are error-free, which is a strong indicator of your grammatical control.
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