Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-09-19

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 7.5)

The line graphs illustrate the number of drivers fined for speeding by roadside cameras in Britain over an eight-year period following their introduction, alongside the corresponding number of road accident fatalities. The accompanying tables display public survey results regarding perceptions of speed cameras.

Overall, while the number of speed camera fines experienced a massive upward surge over the eight-year period, road accident fatalities showed no clear reduction, fluctuating slightly throughout. Furthermore, public opinion regarding the implementation of speed cameras was predominantly negative.

In terms of speed camera offenses, the number of drivers caught began at 200,000 in Year 1 and steadily rose to 800,000 by Year 5. After a slight dip to 600,000 in Year 6, the figure sharply escalated, peaking at 1.8 million by Year 8.

In contrast, road fatalities remained relatively stable; starting at 3,500 in Year 1, the total dropped slightly to around 2,500 in Year 4 before hovering between 2,800 and 3,000 deaths through Year 8.Regarding public sentiment, a significant majority (60%) believed that speed cameras do not effectively reduce road accidents, compared to 32% who agreed they do. Additionally, 71% felt that the cameras were installed primarily to generate revenue rather than enhance safety. Finally, 56% of respondents considered the number of installed speed cameras to be excessive.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The student has successfully addressed all parts of the prompt by describing both the line graphs and the tables. An effective overview is provided, highlighting the main trends such as the surge in fines and the lack of a clear reduction in fatalities, alongside public negativity. Key data points are selected and cited well, such as fines rising to 1.8 million by Year 8 and the survey percentages. There are minor data inaccuracies compared to the exact transcription (e.g., stating fines reached 1.8 million instead of 1.6 million, and starting fatalities at 3,500 instead of 3,150), but these minor generalisations do not detract from the overall excellent coverage and clarity of the report.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The report demonstrates clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Information is grouped logically, separating the trend descriptions of the graphs from the survey results tables. Paragraphing is used appropriately, with each paragraph focusing on a distinct aspect of the visual data. Cohesive devices are handled well, using phrases like 'In terms of speed camera offenses', 'In contrast', and 'Regarding public sentiment' to guide the reader smoothly between different sections of the prompt. Referencing is clear and effective.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The student exhibits a wide and flexible lexical range suitable for an Academic Task 1 report. Vocabulary used includes precise items such as 'massive upward surge', 'fluctuating slightly', 'escalated', 'peaking', and 'public sentiment'. There is good control of collocation and style, although there are minor inaccuracies in exact data reading which blur vocabulary precision slightly. Nevertheless, the range of vocabulary is more than sufficient to convey precise meanings and handle complex visual information effectively.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The response features a wide variety of complex sentence structures used with a high degree of accuracy. The majority of sentences are error-free, demonstrating excellent control over subordination, participial phrases ('starting at 3,500 in Year 1'), and comparative structures ('compared to 32% who agreed they do'). Grammar and punctuation are well managed throughout, with only rare minor slips that do not impede communication at all. The grammatical control comfortably aligns with Band 8 descriptors.

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