Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-07-24

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

The chart below shows the results of a survey about people’s coffee and tea buying and drinking habits in five Australian cities.

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 results of a survey on the coffee and tea buying and drinking habits of residents in five Australian cities during the previous four weeks.

Overall, going to a café for coffee or tea was the most popular activity in four of the five cities, whereas purchasing fresh coffee was generally the least common. Furthermore, Hobart had the highest proportion of instant coffee buyers, while Melbourne recorded the greatest percentage of café visitors.

Around 64% of residents in Melbourne visited a café during the previous four weeks, making it the highest figure among the five cities. This was closely followed by Hobart (63%) and Sydney (61%), while the corresponding figures for Brisbane and Adelaide were approximately 55% and 50%, respectively.

Purchasing instant coffee was most common in Hobart, at around 54%, followed by Brisbane (53%) and Adelaide (50%). Lower proportions were recorded in Melbourne (48%) and Sydney (46%). In contrast, buying fresh coffee was less popular overall, peaking at about 44% in Sydney. The figures for Melbourne and Hobart were approximately 43% and 39%, while Brisbane and Adelaide recorded the lowest percentages, at around 34% and 35%, respectively.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

The response effectively addresses all parts of the task. You have provided a clear overview that identifies the main trends, such as the popularity of café visits and the relative lower frequency of fresh coffee purchases. The data is well-selected, and you have made relevant comparisons between the five cities, such as noting that Melbourne had the highest café attendance while Hobart led in instant coffee consumption. The information is accurate based on the provided chart, and the report is well-structured to highlight key features without unnecessary detail. This demonstrates a strong ability to synthesize data for an Academic Task 1 response.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, a concise overview, and two body paragraphs that group the data effectively by category. The progression of ideas is smooth, and you have used a variety of cohesive devices such as 'whereas', 'furthermore', 'while', and 'in contrast' to link your points. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different aspects of the survey. The referencing is clear, and the flow of information is easy to follow throughout the text, meeting the requirements for a high band score.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey the information precisely. Phrases like 'highest proportion', 'recorded the greatest percentage', and 'peaking at' show a good command of academic language. The vocabulary is natural and appropriate for the context of a data report. While the range is solid, incorporating a few more sophisticated synonyms or collocations related to statistical trends could elevate the response further. However, the current usage is accurate and contributes to a clear, professional tone throughout the summary.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

The response demonstrates a high level of grammatical control. You have successfully used a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as the use of participial phrases ('making it the highest figure') and comparative clauses. Punctuation is accurate, and there are no significant errors that impede communication. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the control over tense and subject-verb agreement is consistent. The writing is fluent and demonstrates a strong grasp of English grammar suitable for this task.

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