Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-09-12

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 7.5)

The charts compare the numbers of French adults, measured in thousands, who were spoken to in a regional language by their parents during childhood, and the numbers who subsequently used these languages when speaking to their own children.

**Overall,** Occitan was by far the most widely spoken regional language among parents, particularly on an occasional basis. However, the number of adults who passed regional languages on to their children was considerably lower. Alsatian was the most commonly transmitted language to the next generation.

Looking first at the languages spoken to adults in childhood, **Occitan** had the highest figures, with approximately **600,000** adults being spoken to habitually and **1 million** occasionally. **Alsatian** ranked second for habitual use, at around **400,000**, although only about **150,000** adults were spoken to in this language occasionally. Breton accounted for approximately **250,000** habitual and **400,000** occasional speakers. The figures for Creole and Corsican were much lower, at roughly **100,000 and 50,000** habitual speakers respectively.

The second chart shows a different pattern among adults speaking these languages to their own children. **Alsatian** was the most widely passed on, at approximately **500,000** adults. This was followed by **Occitan**, at around **300,000**. The figures for **Breton, Creole and Corsican** were substantially lower, at about **100,000, 90,000 and 70,000** respectively. Thus, despite Occitan having the largest number of childhood speakers, Alsatian was more frequently transmitted to the next generation.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The student covers all parts of the task well, providing a clear overview and effectively selecting and reporting the key features from the charts. The introduction accurately paraphrases the prompt, and the overview captures the main trends, such as Occitan being most prominent in childhood while Alsatian is most frequently transmitted to the next generation. Data points are accurately cited and compared, for instance noting that 'approximately 600,000 adults were spoken to habitually and 1 million occasionally'. All comparisons are supported with precise figures from the charts, satisfying the requirements for a well-developed Academic Task 1 response.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

Ideas are logically sequenced and the report flows smoothly from an introduction to an overview, followed by detailed body paragraphs for each chart. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, with each paragraph having a clear focus. Cohesive devices are managed well without being intrusive, using phrases like 'Looking first at' and 'The second chart shows' to guide the reader through the data. Referencing is clear throughout, contributing to an overall coherent piece of writing.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

The student demonstrates a wide, fluent and flexible range of vocabulary suited to describing statistical data. Phrases such as 'habitually', 'occasionally', 'substantially lower', and 'frequently transmitted' show a good command of less common lexical items. Word choice and collocation are accurate, and there are no noticeable spelling or word-choice errors that impede communication. The use of vocabulary allows for precise reporting of trends and figures.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The response features a wide range of complex sentence structures used with a high degree of accuracy. The majority of sentences are error-free, and control over punctuation and grammar is strong. Examples such as 'Thus, despite Occitan having the largest number of childhood speakers, Alsatian was more frequently transmitted to the next generation' demonstrate complex grammatical phrasing. Only very occasional minor slips might occur, but grammar never impedes understanding.

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

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