Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-09-02
IELTS Writing Task 1 question
The charts below show the changes in ownership of electrical appliances and amount of time spent doing housework in households in one country between 1920 and 2019.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Percentage of households with electrical appliances (1920-2019)
Student answer (Band 8.0)
The charts compare changes in the proportion of households owning three electrical appliances and in the average weekly amount of time spent on housework in one country between 1920 and 2019.
Overall, the ownership of all appliances rose substantially over the period. Refrigerators and vacuum cleaners became universal by 2000, whereas washing machines increased more gradually and experienced a slight decline at one point. At the same time, the weekly time devoted to housework fell dramatically.
In 1920, washing machines were the most widely owned appliance, with 40% of households possessing one. This figure was followed by vacuum cleaners at 30%, while refrigerators were not owned by any households. By 1940, ownership of washing machines had climbed to 60%, and the figures for refrigerators and vacuum cleaners had risen to approximately 55% and 50% respectively.
Refrigerators then saw the sharpest growth, reaching 90% in 1960 and 100% in 1980, where the figure remained for the rest of the period. Vacuum cleaner ownership also increased steadily, from 70% in 1960 to 100% in 2000. Although the proportion of homes with washing machines rose to 70% in 1960, it fell slightly to around 65% in 1980 before recovering to 75% by 2019.
Meanwhile, the average number of hours of housework per household dropped from 50 per week in 1920 to just 10 hours in 2019.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 8.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 8.0 |
| Overall | 8.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0
The response is excellent. You have successfully identified all key features, including the overall upward trend in appliance ownership and the inverse relationship with the time spent on housework. You provided a clear overview and supported your points with accurate data from the charts. The comparison between the appliances and the housework hours is well-integrated. You covered all parts of the task effectively, ensuring that the main trends and significant data points were highlighted without unnecessary detail. The information is well-selected and logically presented, meeting all the requirements for a high band score.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5
The response is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. You have used a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'whereas', 'at the same time', 'although', and 'meanwhile', which help to connect the sentences and paragraphs smoothly. The paragraphing is logical, with a clear introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs that group the information by appliance and trend. The referencing is clear, and the flow of information is natural, making the report very easy to follow.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.5
You have demonstrated a wide and flexible range of vocabulary. Phrases like 'proportion of households', 'became universal', 'devoted to housework', and 'experienced a slight decline' show a high level of control. The word choices are precise and appropriate for an academic report. There are no noticeable errors in spelling or word formation, and the vocabulary is used naturally throughout the text. You have successfully avoided repetition by using varied synonyms to describe the trends in the data.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0
The grammar is highly accurate, with a wide range of complex structures used correctly. You have effectively used subordinate clauses (e.g., 'whereas washing machines increased...', 'Although the proportion of homes...'), which demonstrates good control over sentence structure. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the punctuation is used correctly to enhance clarity. There are no significant grammatical slips that impede communication, and the overall control of tense and agreement is consistent with the requirements of a high-level response.
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