Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-05

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

The charts below give information about a public library in a town called Little Chalfont.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

 

Student answer (Band 6.0)

The table illustrates the percentage of different types of households in Great Britain from 1971 to 2007.

Overall, the percentage of one-person households increased during the period, while the proportion of couples with dependent children decreased continuously. The percentage of couples with no children and lone parents also increased.

In 1971, one-person households accounted for 6%, and this figure increased to 8% in 1981 and 11% in 1991. After that, it reached 12% in 2001 and remained the same in 2007. Couples with no children made up 19% in 1971. This percentage increased gradually and reached 25% in both 2001 and 2007.

Couples with dependent children had the highest percentage in 1971, at 52%. However, this figure decreased steadily to 47% in 1981, 41% in 1991 and finally 36% in 2007. The percentage of couples with non-dependent children remained almost the same, at around 9% to 11%. Finally, lone-parent households increased from only 4% in 1971 to 12% in 2001, and remained unchanged in 2007.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response effectively identifies the main trends and provides a clear overview of the data. You have selected key features, such as the rise in one-person households and the decline in couples with dependent children, and supported these with accurate data points. However, the task prompt refers to a library in Little Chalfont, but your response describes household types in Great Britain. This suggests a significant misinterpretation of the provided data source or task context. While the reporting of the trends is accurate based on the numbers provided, the failure to address the specific subject matter of the task (the library) limits the score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs. The progression of ideas is smooth, and you use cohesive devices such as 'In 1971', 'After that', and 'However' effectively to guide the reader. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate different categories of data. The referencing is clear, and the flow between sentences is generally natural, which helps the reader follow the comparisons being made throughout the report.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey information clearly. Phrases like 'accounted for', 'remained the same', and 'decreased steadily' are used accurately. While the vocabulary is functional and precise, it is somewhat repetitive and lacks the more sophisticated, varied lexical items that would push the score into the higher bands. There are no significant errors in word choice or spelling, and the language used is appropriate for a formal report.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The response exhibits good control over grammar and punctuation. You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures effectively, such as 'While the proportion of couples with dependent children decreased continuously'. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the few minor slips do not impede communication. Your use of tense is consistent and appropriate for describing historical data. The punctuation is accurate throughout, contributing to the overall clarity of the report.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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