IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answers with Examiner Comments

Why Model Answers Matter

Writing Task 1 is your first impression. Examiners assess 4 criteria: Task Achievement (TA), Coherence & Cohesion (CC), Lexical Resource (LR), and Grammatical Range & Accuracy (GRA). Each criterion is weighted equally — one weakness tanks your band. Below are 3 authentic model answers at different bands, with examiner commentary showing EXACTLY what changed between Band 6 and Band 7, and Band 7 and Band 8.

Model Answer 1: Band 6.0

BAND 6.0

Question: The charts below show the percentage of household income spent on food in two different countries, Canada and India, over 20 years from 1990 to 2010.

Dear Sir or Madam,

The two charts show information about how much money families in Canada and India spend on food from 1990 to 2010. The data is interesting because it shows big differences between the two countries.

In Canada, the percentage of income spent on food started at around 9% in 1990 and went down to about 6% in 2010. This shows that Canadian families spent less of their money on food over the 20-year period. The line goes down steadily from the beginning to the end, which means there was a consistent decrease in spending.

In India, the situation is different. The percentage started at about 45% in 1990 and it came down to around 35% in 2010. Although the percentage went down like Canada, the decrease was much smaller. Indian families still spent a lot more of their money on food compared to Canada.

In conclusion, both countries showed a decrease in the percentage of income spent on food, but Canada had more reduction than India. The difference between Canada and India was very large during this period, with Canada spending much less on food than India.

Yours faithfully

EXAMINER FEEDBACK — BAND 6.0

Task Achievement: Answer covers all main features but uses repetitive descriptions. "The percentage went down" appears 3 times. The conclusion restates obvious facts instead of offering insight.

Coherence & Cohesion: Paragraphs follow a logical order (intro → Canada → India → conclusion), but transitions are weak. "The situation is different" and "Although the percentage went down" are basic connectors. Pronouns lack precision.

Lexical Resource: Vocabulary is simple and repetitive: "spent money," "percentage," "showed." Academic synonyms are absent (e.g., "allocated," "fluctuated," "allocation").

Grammatical Range & Accuracy: Sentences are short and simple (SVO). Errors: "The line goes down steadily" (unclear subject). Present tense misused. Grammar is accurate but lacks complexity — no subordination, no passive voice.

TA: 6.0 Covers all features, repetitive phrasing

CC: 6.0 Logical order, weak transitions

LR: 6.0 Simple vocabulary, repetition

GRA: 6.0 Accurate, lacks complexity

💡 Arabic Speaker Note: The repetition of "percentage went down" is natural in Arabic (where repetition = emphasis). English academic writing values variation instead. Replace repeated phrases with synonyms: "decreased," "fell," "showed a downward trend," "experienced a reduction."

Model Answer 2: Band 7.0

BAND 7.0

Question: The charts below show the percentage of household income spent on food in two different countries, Canada and India, over 20 years from 1990 to 2010.

Dear Sir or Madam,

The two bar charts illustrate the proportion of household income allocated to food in Canada and India between 1990 and 2010, revealing a marked contrast between the two nations.

Canada experienced a steady decline in food expenditure as a percentage of income. The figure fell from approximately 9% in 1990 to roughly 6% in 2010, representing a reduction of 3 percentage points over the 20-year period. This downward trend suggests that Canadian households had progressively more disposable income following improved living standards and economic growth.

India, conversely, witnessed a more modest decrease. Although the percentage declined from around 45% in 1990 to approximately 35% in 2010, the 10-percentage-point fall, while substantial in absolute terms, represents only a 22% relative decrease. Consequently, Indian households continued to allocate a significantly larger proportion of their earnings to food, reflecting lower income levels and different economic circumstances.

In summary, despite both countries demonstrating downward trajectories in food spending, the disparity between them remained pronounced. Canada's more substantial decline indicates stronger economic development, whereas India's persistent high proportion underscores ongoing economic constraints faced by households in developing nations.

Yours faithfully

EXAMINER FEEDBACK — BAND 7.0

Task Achievement: All key features are covered with precise detail. The writer specifies exact figures ("9% in 1990 to roughly 6% in 2010") and interprets significance ("represents a reduction of 3 percentage points"). Synthesis of both countries is present.

Coherence & Cohesion: Transitions are sophisticated: "conversely," "consequently," "in summary." Pronouns are clear ("This downward trend suggests..."). Paragraph structure is logical: overview → Canada detail → India detail → synthesis. Cohesion is tight and professional.

Lexical Resource: Advanced vocabulary: "allocated," "witnessed," "modest decrease," "disposable income," "trajectories," "disparity." Academic register is maintained. Synonyms replace repetition: "decline," "fall," "decrease." Word choice is precise and varied.

Grammatical Range & Accuracy: Subordinate clauses present: "Although the percentage declined... the 10-percentage-point fall... represents only a 22% relative decrease." Passive voice used effectively: "was allocated." Complex noun phrases: "the proportion of household income allocated to food." Grammar is accurate and sophisticated.

TA: 7.0 All features covered with detail

CC: 7.0 Clear transitions, tight logic

LR: 7.0 Advanced, precise vocabulary

GRA: 7.0 Complex structures, mostly accurate

💡 How to Get from 6 to 7: Use precise numbers. Replace "went down" with synonyms (declined, fell, witnessed a decrease). Add interpretation ("represents a reduction of X percentage points"). Use connectors (conversely, subsequently, in summary). Add one subordinate clause per paragraph. That's a Band 7 right there.

Model Answer 3: Band 8.0

BAND 8.0

Question: The charts below show the percentage of household income spent on food in two different countries, Canada and India, over 20 years from 1990 to 2010.

Dear Sir or Madam,

The bar charts delineate the trajectory of food expenditure as a proportion of household income in Canada and India across two decades, illuminating a substantial divergence in economic prosperity and consumption patterns between the two nations.

Canada's expenditure profile exhibits a sustained contraction. Declining from 9% in 1990 to 6% in 2010, the 33% relative decrease exemplifies the progressive liberalisation of household budgets concomitant with economic advancement. This trajectory—coupled with marginal annual fluctuations—suggests an economy characterised by rising disposable incomes and enhanced purchasing power for non-essential goods. The consistency of the downward gradient implies structural economic transformation rather than cyclical variation.

India's expenditure pattern, by contrast, presents a more attenuated decline. Whilst the absolute reduction spans 10 percentage points (45% to 35%), representing a 22% relative decrease, this trajectory remains substantially elevated relative to Canada, signifying persistent economic constraints. The shallower gradient indicates that whilst modest income growth has occurred, structural impediments to poverty alleviation remain endemic. Furthermore, the differential between the two nations—amounting to 25 percentage points by 2010—underscores the profound income inequality between developed and developing economies.

In synthesis, the comparative analysis reveals not merely divergent spending patterns, but rather reflective indicators of macroeconomic health. Canada's pronounced contraction corroborates its developed-economy status, whilst India's resilient yet elevated proportion evidences the structural economic challenges confronting developing nations.

Yours faithfully

EXAMINER FEEDBACK — BAND 8.0

Task Achievement: Every aspect is addressed with sophisticated interpretation. Exact figures are provided, AND relative percentages are calculated ("33% relative decrease," "22% relative decrease"). Deeper analysis connects patterns to broader economic concepts (liberalisation, poverty, structural constraints). Synthesis goes beyond mere comparison to economic interpretation.

Coherence & Cohesion: Sophisticated signposting: "by contrast," "whilst," "in synthesis," "furthermore." Paragraph unity is thematic (Canada's profile → India's profile → synthesis). Within paragraphs, ideas link seamlessly. The final sentence summarizes the deeper meaning, not just the numbers.

Lexical Resource: Sophisticated academic vocabulary: "delineate," "trajectory," "divergence," "prosperity," "contraction," "concomitant," "attenuation," "endemic," "amounting," "corroborates." Register is consistently formal-academic. Lexical precision is at PhD level.

Grammatical Range & Accuracy: Complex multi-clause sentences: "Declining from 9% in 1990 to 6% in 2010, the 33% relative decrease exemplifies the progressive liberalisation of household budgets concomitant with economic advancement." Passive voice integrated naturally. Nominalisations used effectively ("liberalisation," "advancement," "transformation"). No grammatical errors. Sentence variety is exceptional.

TA: 8.0 Sophisticated interpretation

CC: 8.0 Sophisticated cohesion

LR: 8.0 PhD-level vocabulary

GRA: 8.0 Complex, flawless syntax

💡 How to Get to Band 8: Calculate relative percentages, not just absolute ones. Interpret data through an economic lens (poverty, income, development). Use nominalisations (contraction, liberalisation, advancement instead of verbs). Write multi-clause sentences. Add adverbial phrases at the beginning of sentences. Integrate sophisticated vocabulary naturally. Use formal register consistently. Never explain obvious facts—interpret instead.

Ready to Score Band 7+?

These model answers show the exact patterns that examiners look for. Get personal feedback on YOUR writing from an ex-IELTS examiner.

Message on WhatsApp

Written by Taoufik Ferjani
Ex-IELTS Examiner | 20+ Years Teaching | Zayed University, ECAE
These model answers are based on authentic IELTS exam questions and examiner standards.