Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-07-24
IELTS Writing Task 1 question
The charts below show the proportions of British students at one university in England who were able to speak other languages in addition to English, in 2000 and 2010
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Student answer (Band 8.5)
The pie charts illustrate the percentage of British students at a specific university in England who were able to speak languages other than English in the years 2000 and 2010.
Looking at students who spoke a single additional language, those speaking Spanish only represented the largest proportion in both years, rising from 30% in 2000 to 35% in 2010. In contrast, the figure for students who spoke French only underwent a sharp decline, halving from 15% down to 10% over the same period. Meanwhile, the percentage of students fluent in German only remained completely unchanged, holding steady at 10% in both 2000 and 2010.
Regarding the other categories, the proportion of students who spoke another language (excluding Spanish, French, or German) increased by five percentage points, moving from 15% to 20%. A similar upward trend occurred among multilingual students capable of speaking two other languages, which grew from 10% in 2000 to 15% in 2010. Conversely, the percentage of students with no additional language skills dropped significantly by half, falling from 20% to 10% by the end of the decade.
Overall, the proportion of students who could speak additional languages increased over the ten-year period, leaving a smaller percentage of monolingual English speakers. Additionally, Spanish maintained its position as the most widely spoken foreign language among students in both years.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 8.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 8.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 8.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 9.0 |
| Overall | 8.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5
The response fully addresses the prompt by summarizing the main features of the charts and making relevant comparisons. You have successfully identified the key trends, such as the growth in Spanish speakers and the decline in monolingual English speakers. The data is accurately reported, and the overview provided in the final paragraph effectively synthesizes the main findings. The response is well-structured and covers all categories presented in the charts, ensuring that the reader gains a clear understanding of the changes between 2000 and 2010. No information is omitted, and the comparisons are logical and well-supported by the data provided.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5
The response is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central focus: the first deals with single-language speakers, while the second covers other categories and the overall trend. Cohesive devices such as 'In contrast,' 'Meanwhile,' 'Regarding the other categories,' and 'Conversely' are used effectively to guide the reader through the data. Paragraphing is used appropriately, and the information flows smoothly from one point to the next. The referencing is clear, and the overall structure supports the reader's understanding of the data trends without any confusion.
Lexical Resource — Band 8.5
You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for an Academic Task 1 response. Phrases such as 'underwent a sharp decline,' 'holding steady,' and 'upward trend' show a level of sophistication beyond basic reporting. The use of 'monolingual' and 'multilingual' is precise and adds to the academic tone. There are no significant errors in word choice or collocation. The vocabulary is varied and used with sufficient flexibility to describe the trends accurately, meeting the requirements for a high band score.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 9.0
The response exhibits a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences and varied clause types. The accuracy is high, with the majority of sentences being error-free. Punctuation is used correctly throughout, and the verb tenses are consistent with the past-time frame required for the task. There are no noticeable grammatical errors that impede communication. The control over sentence structure is strong, allowing for a natural and fluent reading experience. The response displays a high level of grammatical competence.
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