Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-08-16

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 compares the proportions of households in England and Wales living in owner-occupied and rented accommodation between 1918 and 2011.

Overall, there was a dramatic long-term transition from renting to home ownership. Renting was dominant initially, but the two figures became equal in 1971. Thereafter, ownership remained considerably higher, peaking in 2001 before declining slightly.

In 1918, only about 22% of households owned their homes, whereas approximately 78% rented, creating a substantial 56-percentage-point gap. Ownership then rose gradually to around 32% in both 1939 and 1953, while renting fell to roughly 68%. By 1961, the figures had reached about 41% and 59%, respectively. In 1971, both categories stood at exactly 50%.

From 1971 onwards, the proportion of homeowners increased sharply, reaching approximately 60% in 1981 and 69% in 1991. It peaked at 70% in 2001, while renting fell to 30%. By 2011, ownership had slipped to about 65%, with renting recovering to 35%. Nevertheless, the overall pattern clearly indicates the growing preference for ownership across the period examined.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

The response is excellent. It fully addresses all parts of the task by identifying the main trends and providing relevant comparisons throughout the period. The overview is clear and effectively highlights the long-term transition from renting to ownership. Key data points, such as the 1971 crossover point and the peak in 2001, are accurately selected and used to support the summary. The information is well-organized, and the comparison between the two categories is consistent and logical. There are no omissions, and the response provides a comprehensive summary of the provided chart.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The response is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph serves a distinct purpose: the introduction, the overview, and the detailed body paragraphs. Cohesive devices such as 'Thereafter', 'whereas', 'respectively', and 'Nevertheless' are used naturally and effectively to link information. The paragraphing is skillful, and the flow of information is smooth, making the report very easy to follow. There is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive use of linking words, and the referencing is precise throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.5

The vocabulary is precise, natural, and sophisticated. The student uses a wide range of topic-specific language such as 'proportions', 'dominant', 'long-term transition', and 'percentage-point gap' with high accuracy. The use of collocations is natural, and the student demonstrates a flexible control of lexical items. There are no errors in word choice or spelling, and the language used is appropriate for an academic report. The range is sufficient to convey complex information clearly and concisely.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

The response displays a wide range of grammatical structures with full flexibility and accuracy. Complex sentences are used effectively, such as 'In 1918, only about 22% of households owned their homes, whereas approximately 78% rented, creating a substantial 56-percentage-point gap.' Punctuation is used correctly throughout. The majority of sentences are error-free, and the few minor slips that might occur are non-existent here. The control over tense and subject-verb agreement is excellent, reflecting a high level of grammatical competence.

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.