Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-09-07

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 8.5)

The bar charts and line graph illustrate the results of a survey conducted over a three-year period to investigate people's opinions about living in London. The bar charts show the best and worst aspects of the city, while the line graph presents the proportion of people who considered litter, air quality and noise to be major problems.

Overall, the range of shops was consistently regarded as the best feature of living in London, whereas the cost of living and traffic congestion were among the most significant disadvantages. In addition, litter was considered the most serious environmental problem throughout the period.

Looking first at the positive aspects, the range of shops was the most popular feature, although its figure fell slightly from about 45% in Year 1 to 43% in Year 3. Job opportunities also declined gradually, from approximately 38% to 35%. The proportion choosing a mixture of people remained relatively stable at around 35–36%. By contrast, museums and art galleries became more popular, rising from about 29% to 34%. Nightlife also increased from 22% to 25%, while transport remained fairly stable at around 20–22%.

Regarding the negative aspects, the cost of living was selected by about 57% of respondents in Year 1, before falling to 50% in Year 3. Traffic congestion showed a similar decline, from approximately 55% to 49%. Crime fell considerably from 56% to 40%, while the figures for the cost of housing remained stable at around 35%. The proportion identifying transport as a disadvantage decreased from 35% to 27%.

Finally, around 70% of people considered litter a major problem in Year 1, and this figure rose to about 75% in Year 2 before falling to approximately 64% in Year 3. Air quality declined gradually from around 66% to 60%, while noise decreased from about 58% to 54%.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

The response is excellent. You have successfully identified and described the key features of all three visual elements provided. The overview clearly highlights the most significant trends, such as the popularity of shops and the prevalence of litter as a major concern. You have effectively selected and reported the data, ensuring that the main points are supported by specific figures from the charts. The information is accurate and well-integrated, providing a comprehensive summary of the survey results without unnecessary detail. This fully satisfies the requirements of the task.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The report is logically organized, with a clear introduction, a concise overview, and distinct body paragraphs for positive aspects, negative aspects, and environmental concerns. The progression of ideas is smooth and easy to follow. You have used a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'whereas', 'in addition', 'by contrast', and 'regarding', which help to link the information seamlessly. Paragraphing is used appropriately to group related data, and referencing is clear throughout the text. The structure is professional and contributes to the overall clarity of the report.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You demonstrate a wide and precise range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic report. Phrases such as 'consistently regarded', 'significant disadvantages', 'proportion of people', and 'declined gradually' show a high level of control. You avoid repetition by using varied synonyms for trends and data points. The language is natural and sophisticated, and there are no errors in word choice or collocation. The use of vocabulary is accurate and contributes to the professional tone of the response.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

The response exhibits a wide range of grammatical structures with high accuracy. You successfully use complex sentences, such as 'The bar charts show the best and worst aspects of the city, while the line graph presents the proportion of people who considered litter, air quality and noise to be major problems.' Punctuation is used correctly throughout, and there are no noticeable grammatical errors. The control over tense and subject-verb agreement is consistent, and the writing is error-free, reflecting a high level of proficiency.

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