Sample Task 1 question
Question
The line graph below shows the number of international students at four UK universities from 2010 to 2020. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Sample answer
Est. Band 6.5The line graph compares the number of international students enrolled at four universities in the UK between 2010 and 2020. Overall, student numbers rose at all four institutions, but the pace of growth varied. Riverside University started with the highest intake and remained the largest throughout the period. Riverside began at roughly 12,000 students in 2010 and climbed steadily to about 18,500 by 2020. Northgate showed the sharpest increase, rising from around 6,000 to nearly 14,000. By contrast, Westfield grew more gradually from 8,000 to 11,000, while Lakeside increased modestly from 5,500 to 8,000.
Overview analysis
Clear overall trend
The overview states that all four universities gained students and that Riverside remained the largest — this satisfies the Band 7 overview requirement.
What still limits the score
The overview does not name the standout comparison (Northgate's fastest growth), so Task Achievement stays at 6.5 rather than 7.
Next step after reading
Turn this example into feedback on your own essay
A sample answer helps you see what a clear overview looks like, but the score blocker in your own report may be different. Run your draft to find the overview, key-feature, or language issue that is actually costing marks.
Key features analysis
Starting points
Riverside ~12,000; Northgate ~6,000; Westfield ~8,000; Lakeside ~5,500 — good data coverage with approximate language.
End points & comparisons
Northgate nearly doubles; Riverside adds ~6,500 students; Westfield and Lakeside grow more slowly — comparisons are present but could be grouped more tightly.
Why this answer is Band 6 / 6.5
Task Achievement: overview is clear but misses the most important contrast (fastest vs slowest growth).
Coherence: logical paragraphing, though the second body repeats listing instead of grouping.
Lexical Resource: accurate trend vocabulary (rose, climbed, increased) but limited range.
Grammar: mostly accurate simple and compound sentences; few complex structures.
Band 7 overview rewrite
Before
Overall, student numbers rose at all four institutions, but the pace of growth varied.
After rewrite
Overall, international enrolments increased at all four universities, with Northgate recording the steepest rise while Westfield and Lakeside saw more modest growth; Riverside remained the largest throughout.
A Band 7 overview must state the main trend and the most important comparison in one or two sentences.
Checker diagnosis preview
Overall Band
6.5
- Weakest Criterion
- Task Achievement (overview)
- Main Problem
- Overview names a general trend but omits the key comparison examiners expect.
- Next Fix
- Rewrite the overview to include fastest growth vs slowest growth in one sentence.
Before
Overall, student numbers rose at all four institutions, but the pace of growth varied.
After rewrite
Overall, enrolments rose at all four universities, with Northgate growing fastest while Riverside remained the largest.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What band is this Task 1 sample answer?▾
We estimate Band 6.5: strong data coverage and a clear overview, but the overview misses the standout comparison needed for Band 7 Task Achievement.
How long should an IELTS Task 1 answer be?▾
Aim for at least 150 words. This sample is ~120 words in the body — in the exam, add one more comparison sentence to reach 160–180 words safely.
Can I check my own Task 1 overview for free?▾
Yes. Paste your Task 1 report into the IELTS Writing Checker for a free band estimate and criterion-level feedback on overview, key features, and language.