Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-07-27

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

The chart below shows the percentage of households in owned and rented accommodation in England and Wales between 1918 and 2011.

Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant.

Student answer (Band 8.5)

The bar chart illustrates the percentage of households that owned and rented accommodation in England and Wales between 1918 and 2011.

Overall, the proportion of households living in owned accommodation increased significantly over the period, while the percentage of rented homes declined. Both figures became equal in 1971.

In 1918, around 22% of households owned their homes, whereas approximately 78% rented accommodation. Home ownership remained almost unchanged at about 31–32% in 1939 and 1953, while renting stayed high at around 68–69%.

From 1961, the percentage of owned homes began to rise steadily, reaching about 42%, while rented accommodation fell to nearly 58%. By 1971, both categories accounted for 50% of households. After this point, home ownership continued to increase, reaching 60% in 1981 and approximately 68–69% in 1991. It peaked at around 70% in 2001, while renting dropped to its lowest level of about 31%.

However, in 2011, there was a slight change in the trend. The proportion of households owning their homes fell slightly to around 65%, whereas the percentage of rented accommodation increased to approximately 36%.

In conclusion, the chart shows a clear long-term shift from renting to home ownership in England and Wales, although the final year indicates a small reversal of this trend.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the task. You have provided a clear overview of the main trends and successfully selected key data points to support your description. The comparison between the two categories is well-integrated, particularly the mention of the 1971 intersection point. The data is accurate, and the report is well-structured, covering the entire period from 1918 to 2011. You have effectively highlighted the significant shift in housing trends and noted the slight reversal at the end of the period, which demonstrates a high level of analytical skill.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The response is logically organized, with a clear progression of ideas from the introduction to the conclusion. Each paragraph has a distinct focus, and the use of cohesive devices such as 'whereas', 'while', 'after this point', and 'however' is effective and natural. The information flows smoothly, and the paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different time periods and trends. There is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive linking, making the text easy to follow throughout.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe trends and data points with precision. Phrases such as 'increased significantly', 'remained almost unchanged', 'accounted for', and 'long-term shift' are used accurately. The vocabulary is appropriate for an academic report, and there are no noticeable errors in word choice or collocation. While the range is solid, incorporating a few more sophisticated synonyms for 'increased' or 'decreased' (e.g., 'surged', 'plummeted', 'fluctuated') could elevate the response further.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

The response demonstrates a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as the use of subordinate clauses ('while the percentage of rented homes declined') and participial phrases. The grammar is highly accurate, with very few, if any, errors. Punctuation is used correctly to manage the flow of information. The control over tense and subject-verb agreement is consistent throughout the report. The writing is clear, professional, and free from errors that would impede communication.

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