Reading annotated model answers is one of the most effective ways to internalise what Band 7 Task 1 writing looks like. This article presents a Band 7 sample response to a line graph question, with detailed commentary explaining exactly why each sentence earns marks across all four assessment criteria: Task Achievement, Coherence & Cohesion, Lexical Resource, and Grammatical Range & Accuracy.
1The Task: Line Graph on Energy Consumption
The question: 'The line graph below shows the amount of energy consumed by four household appliances in a typical UK home between 1970 and 2010. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words.' This is a standard 4-line graph with clear trends. Understanding the task before reading the model response helps you absorb the decisions the writer made — what they included and, crucially, what they chose to leave out.
2Model Response with Inline Commentary
Introduction (paraphrase): 'The line graph illustrates the changing energy consumption of four common household appliances in a typical UK home across a forty-year span from 1970 to 2010.' [Commentary: Clean paraphrase — 'shows' replaced by 'illustrates', '1970 to 2010' reframed as 'forty-year span'.] Overview: 'Overall, televisions consumed the most energy by the end of the period, having overtaken refrigerators around 1990. All four appliances showed an upward trend, though the rate of increase varied considerably.' [Commentary: Two clear main points, no specific data, uses a crossover point — this is excellent Task Achievement.]
3Body Paragraph Analysis
Body 1: 'Refrigerators began the period as the most energy-intensive appliance at approximately 200 kWh per year, before rising steadily to a plateau of around 310 kWh by 2000, where they remained for the rest of the period. Televisions, initially consuming just 80 kWh, grew dramatically throughout the four decades, surpassing refrigerators in 1990 and ultimately reaching 420 kWh by 2010.' [Commentary: Two lines compared in one paragraph, crossover point included, varied vocabulary — 'began', 'rising', 'plateau', 'grew dramatically', 'surpassing'.] Body 2: 'Dishwashers and washing machines both started at similar levels of 150 kWh and increased moderately, finishing at 260 kWh and 240 kWh respectively in 2010 — a notably slower rate of growth compared to televisions.' [Commentary: Groups two similar lines together, uses 'respectively' correctly, ends with comparison to body 1.]
4Why This Response Scores Band 7
Task Achievement (Band 7): Covers all main features — the crossover point, the dominant appliance by 2010, the varying rates of growth. Has a clear overview. Selects data without over-listing. Coherence & Cohesion (Band 7): Logical 4-paragraph structure. Compares items within paragraphs rather than describing sequentially. Uses connectors naturally. Lexical Resource (Band 7): Uses 'illustrates', 'plateau', 'dramatic', 'surpassing', 'moderately', 'notably' — all appropriate and precise. No inappropriate collocations. Grammatical Range (Band 7): Uses a variety of sentence types — simple, compound, complex with 'before', 'having overtaken', 'while'. No significant errors. Together, these four Band 7 components produce an overall Band 7.
🎯 Key Takeaway
Study this model not just by reading it, but by attempting the same task yourself first, then comparing your response to the model. Note the differences in structure, vocabulary, and data selection. The gap between your response and the model shows you exactly what to practise next.