Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.5 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-08-21
IELTS Writing Task 1 question
The bar charts and line graph below show the results of a survey conducted over a three-year period to discover what people who live in London think of the city.
Write a report for a university lecturer describing the information below.
What are the best things about living in London?
Student answer (Band 7.5)
The charts illustrate the results of a three-year survey examining what London residents considered the best and worst aspects of living in the city, as well as the main environmental problems.
Overall, the range of shops was consistently viewed as the best feature, while the cost of living was the biggest disadvantage. Among environmental issues, litter was considered the most serious problem.
The range of shops was mentioned by about 45% of people in Year 1, falling slightly to around 42% in Year 3. Job opportunities and the mixture of people were also popular, at approximately 35%. Meanwhile, museums and art galleries and nightlife became more popular over the period. Transport was mentioned by around 20–22% of respondents.
Regarding the disadvantages, the cost of living was identified by almost 60% of respondents initially, although this fell to about 50% by Year 3. Traffic congestion remained high at roughly 50–55%, while crime declined considerably. The cost of housing stayed relatively stable.
Finally, litter was considered the greatest environmental problem, reaching about 75% in Year 2. Air pollution was next, while noise was the least serious, at around 55–60%.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.5 |
| Overall | 7.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5
The response effectively covers all parts of the task. You have provided a clear overview of the survey results, highlighting the most significant trends across the three categories (best aspects, disadvantages, and environmental issues). The data is well-selected, and you have successfully identified key features such as the dominance of 'range of shops' and 'litter'. The information is accurate and supported by relevant figures from the charts. To reach a higher band, ensure that you consistently compare data points rather than just listing them, although your use of comparative language like 'fell slightly' and 'remained high' is already quite effective.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5
The report is logically organized, with a clear introduction, an overview, and separate paragraphs for each category of data. The progression of ideas is smooth, and you have used cohesive devices such as 'Meanwhile', 'Regarding', and 'Finally' to guide the reader through the different sections of the report. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct themes. The structure is clear and easy to follow, which demonstrates a high level of control over the organization of the information.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.0
You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the data accurately. Phrases like 'consistently viewed', 'identified by', and 'declined considerably' show a good command of language. The vocabulary is precise and appropriate for an academic report. While the range is good, incorporating a few more sophisticated collocations or varied synonyms for 'mentioned' or 'considered' would help elevate the response further. Overall, the lexical choices are accurate and contribute to a professional tone.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5
The response demonstrates a good variety of complex structures, such as the use of participial phrases ('falling slightly to...') and subordinate clauses ('although this fell to...'). The grammar is generally accurate, with very few errors. Punctuation is handled well, and the sentence structures are varied enough to maintain interest. The writing is fluent, and the occasional minor slips do not impede communication or detract from the overall clarity of the report.
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