Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-10-01

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

The pie charts below show responses by teachers of foreign languages in Britain to a survey concerning why their students are learning a foreign language. The first chart shows the main reason for learning a foreign language. The second chart shows how many teachers felt that there has been a recent change in the reason.

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

% of teachers reporting the following as most common reason for learning:

Student answer (Band 6.0)

The pie charts illustrate why students in Britain learn foreign languages and whether teachers have noticed a recent change in these reasons.

Overall, in the first chart, travelling is the largest reason for learning a foreign language, while foreign partners make up the smallest proportion. In the second chart, buying property overseas accounted for the highest figure and travelling for the lowest figure among all other reasons.

Initially, travelling constituted the highest proportion at one-third, which then became the smallest figure recently, at only 3%. Followed by bussines/ work, which reduced from just above a quarter to 19% recently. However, buying property overseas represented 19% as a reason and increased to just above one-third, becoming the biggest figure recently.

General interest remains the same at 5%. Moreover, social contacts contributed 7% initially and rose to 15% recently. Furthermore, personal development decreased from 7% to 4%, and foreign partners increased from 3% to 4%. 15% proportion aquire with no change recently.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The response successfully addresses all parts of the prompt by selecting and reporting the main features from both charts, meeting the word count requirement. The overview clearly highlights the contrasting trends between the two charts, mentioning 'travelling' and 'buying property overseas'. However, some parts are more fully developed than others. While key data points like the figures for travel and property are noted, the description tends to rely on listing figures rather than fully synthesizing all relationships. To reach a higher band, the response needs to provide a more fully developed comparison across all categories rather than treating some details mechanically.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The text presents a coherent overall arrangement with a clear attempt to structure the report into an introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs. Information is generally organized logically, moving from general trends to specific data comparisons. However, cohesion is sometimes faulty or mechanical. For instance, transitional phrases like 'Initially,' and 'Moreover,' are used, but referencing and linking between sentences occasionally feel abrupt, particularly in the final paragraph where sentences like '15% proportion aquire with no change recently' disrupt the logical flow. Paragraphing is present, but internal cohesion needs greater flexibility and smoother transitions to achieve a higher standard.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

An adequate range of vocabulary is deployed for the task, allowing the writer to describe percentages and trends successfully using terms like 'proportion', 'highest figure', and 'decreased'. Less common vocabulary is attempted, such as 'constituted', 'contributed', and 'represented', though with some minor inaccuracies in word choice and collocation. For example, the spelling error 'bussines' appears, and the phrase '15% proportion aquire with no change' contains incorrect word forms. These errors do not impede communication, allowing the reader to grasp the intended meaning clearly, but they prevent the vocabulary score from moving into higher bands.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The response employs a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, attempting comparative and subordinate clauses throughout the report. There are some errors in grammar and punctuation, such as tense inconsistencies when shifting between past data ('constituted') and present descriptions ('remains'), alongside awkward phrasing like 'Followed by bussines/ work, which reduced...'. Punctuation is generally acceptable, and while errors occur, they rarely impede communication. The range of structures remains somewhat limited and mechanical, with frequent simple connectors, which reflects the characteristics of this level.

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

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