Band 9.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 9.0 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-08-03

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

The graphs below show the number of drivers in Britain who have been caught driving too fast by speed cameras placed on roads, and the number of people killed in road accidents, over an eight-year period since the introduction of speed cameras. The tables show the results of a survey on people's opinions on speed cameras.

Write a report for a university lecturer describing the information below.

SPEED CAMERA FINES and ROAD ACCIDENT FATALITIES

Student answer (Band 9.0)

Here is a Band 9 response written entirely in standard essay paragraph format, ideal for IELTS Academic Writing Task 1.

The line graphs illustrate trends in the number of speed camera fines issued and road accident fatalities in Britain over an eight-year period, while the accompanying tables present public opinion survey data regarding these cameras.

Overall, while the number of speed camera fines experienced a dramatic, exponential increase over the eight-year period, road accident fatalities remained virtually unchanged. This clear lack of correlation between rising fines and improved safety is reflected in public opinion, where a substantial majority of people express skepticism regarding the primary motivation behind and effectiveness of speed cameras.

Regarding the visual trends, speed camera fines rose steadily from roughly 200,000 in Year 1 to around 600,000 in Year 5. Following this, the figure accelerated sharply, ultimately reaching a peak of 1.6 million by Year 8, marking an eightfold increase. In stark contrast, road fatalities fluctuated within a narrow margin throughout the entire period. Beginning at approximately 3,100 in Year 1, the number of deaths peaked slightly above 3,300 in Years 2 and 3, dipped to a low of about 3,000 in Year 4, and gradually rose back to nearly 3,400 by Year 8.

The survey findings closely reflect these statistical trends, showing predominantly negative attitudes toward speed cameras. A significant majority of respondents, at 60%, believed that speed cameras do not successfully reduce road accidents, whereas only 32% thought they do. Furthermore, 71% of those surveyed asserted that the main reason for installing these cameras is to raise revenue for the government, compared to just 26% who viewed them as a measure to improve road safety. Finally, when asked about camera density, 56% felt there were too many speed cameras on the roads, while only 17% believed the number was about right, and 19% felt there were too few.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 9.0

The response is excellent. It fully addresses all parts of the task by providing a clear overview of the trends in the line graphs and summarizing the key data points from the tables. The writer successfully identifies the lack of correlation between the increase in fines and the stability of road fatalities, which demonstrates a high level of analytical skill. All data is accurately reported, and the comparison between the visual data and the survey results is well-integrated. The response is well-structured, covering all requirements of the prompt with precision and clarity.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 9.0

The response is perfectly organized. It uses a logical progression of ideas, starting with an introduction, followed by an overview, and then detailed body paragraphs for the trends and survey data. Cohesive devices such as 'while', 'following this', 'in stark contrast', and 'furthermore' are used naturally and effectively to link ideas. Paragraphing is skillful, with each paragraph focusing on a distinct aspect of the data. The flow of information is smooth, and the reader is guided through the analysis without any confusion.

Lexical Resource — Band 9.0

The vocabulary is sophisticated and used with high precision. The writer employs a wide range of topic-specific terminology such as 'exponential increase', 'virtually unchanged', 'lack of correlation', 'fluctuated within a narrow margin', and 'camera density'. The control of collocation is natural, and the language is consistently appropriate for an academic report. There are no errors in word choice or spelling, and the lexical range is more than sufficient to convey complex information clearly and fluently.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 9.0

The response demonstrates a wide range of complex grammatical structures used with full flexibility and accuracy. The writer employs a variety of sentence types, including complex sentences with subordinate clauses and participial phrases, such as 'marking an eightfold increase' and 'when asked about camera density'. Punctuation is used correctly throughout, and there are no grammatical errors. The control over tense and aspect is consistent, and the overall grammatical quality is exemplary, meeting the criteria for the highest band.

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