Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-09-29

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 8.0)

This is IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 - 3 charts. You have to describe all 3 together.

Here is a Band 8.5+ report + explanation:

Sample Answer - 190 words

The three charts compare perceptions of living in London over three years, showing what residents consider the best and worst aspects, and whether litter, air quality and noise are seen as major problems.

Overall, the range of shops was consistently rated the best thing, while cost of living, traffic and crime were seen as the worst. Concern about litter was the highest of the three environmental problems.

Regarding positives, around 42-45% of people cited the range of shops in all three years, making it the top advantage. Job opportunities and a mixture of people were the next most popular, both at 35-38%. Museums and art galleries grew in popularity, rising from 28% in Year 1 to 35% in Year 3. Night life, transport and the remaining category were less valued, each attracting only 18-25% of responses, though night life also showed a slight increase.

For negatives, over half of respondents identified cost of living, traffic congestion and crime as the worst things in Year 1, at 58%, 55% and 56% respectively. However, figures for traffic and crime fell noticeably to around 40-48% by Year 3, while cost of living remained the highest concern at 50%. Cost of housing and transport were less problematic, at 27-37%.

Finally, 60-75% of people said litter was a major problem, peaking in Year 2. Air quality and noise were concerns for 50-66% and 52-59% respectively, with both remaining relatively stable.

How to solve / Structure to get 7+

*1. Introduction - Paraphrase the question:*

Don't copy. "The charts compare..."

*2. Overview - 2 main trends (No numbers):*

- Best = range of shops, Worst = cost of living / traffic / crime

- Litter = biggest problem of the 3

*3. Details:*

- *Para 1:* Describe Chart 1 (best things). Group high % vs low %. Mention increase for museums & art galleries and night life.

- *Para 2:* Chart 2 (worst things). Note the DROP for crime (56% to 40%) and traffic. Cost of living stays high.

- *Para 3:* Chart 3 (major problem). Litter highest, peaks in Year 2.

*What examiner checks:*

- You cover ALL 3 charts

- You compare Year 1 vs Year 2 vs Year 3 (not just list numbers)

- You use comparison language: _while, whereas, in contrast, remained stable, increased, fell noticeably, consistently_

- At least 150 words, no opinion.

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AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5

The response includes extraneous meta-commentary and instructional material pasted alongside the sample essay, which makes evaluating the exact scope unconventional. However, looking at the actual sample essay portion ('The three charts compare perceptions...'), all three charts are fully covered with accurate descriptions of trends, data points, and comparisons across the three-year period. Key features such as the top-rated positive aspects, falling crime and traffic rates, and the peak in litter concerns are correctly identified and supported with figures from the charts. The overview is clear and well-integrated.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 8.0

The sample essay is logically organised with a clear introduction, a concise overview paragraph, and well-structured body paragraphs addressing each chart sequentially. Cohesive devices such as 'Regarding positives', 'However', and 'Finally' are used naturally and effectively to guide the reader through the data. Paragraphing is logical, and the progression of ideas is smooth throughout the response, ensuring that the information flows seamlessly from one point to the next.

Lexical Resource: Band 8.0

The student demonstrates a wide, flexible, and natural range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic report. Phrases like 'consistently rated', 'grew in popularity', 'identified', and 'remained relatively stable' show precise control over word choice and collocation. Less common items are used skilfully without awkward phrasing. There are no notable spelling or lexical errors within the sample essay text.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 8.0

A wide variety of complex sentence structures is deployed with a high degree of accuracy. The majority of sentences are error-free, featuring sophisticated subordinate clauses and participial phrases (e.g., 'rising from 28% in Year 1 to 35% in Year 3'). Control over punctuation, tense consistency, and prepositional usage is exemplary, with only very rare or non-systematic imperfections present in the secondary conversational text, which do not detract from the main essay's execution.

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

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