Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · IELTS Summit Mastery · 2026-11-12

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

The table below shows the change in some household types in Great Britain from 1971 to 2007.

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

PEOPLE IN HOUSEHOLDS BY TYPE OF HOUSEHOLD AND FAMILY

Student answer (Band 5.5)

The table illustrate the percentages of people living in different types of households in Great Britain between 1971and 2007.

Overall, it is clear that the percentage of people living alone, couples without children and lone parents increased over the period. In contrast, the figure for couples with dependent children decreased.

In1971, only 6%of people lived alone. This figure is gradually to 12% in 2001 and remained the same in 2007. SImilarly, the percentage of couples without children rose from 19%in 1971 to 25%in 2001,where it stayed until 2007.

on the other hand, couples with dependent children showed a downward

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5

You identify several important trends accurately: the shares for people living alone and couples without children rise, while the dependent-children category falls. The figures you give for the first two categories are also correct. However, the response is incomplete: it stops after beginning to describe the decline in households with dependent children, and does not report that category’s figures or cover non-dependent children and lone-parent households. The overview therefore captures only part of the table’s main picture. The response also contains 99 words, below the required 150, which leaves the data selection and comparisons substantially underdeveloped. To improve, complete the final comparison and include the other notable trends, supported by selected figures.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

There is a basic, understandable structure: an introduction is followed by an overview and then details about two household types. The overview’s contrast between increasing and decreasing categories gives the response a useful organising idea, and “Similarly” and “In contrast” help connect points. However, the final paragraph begins “on the other hand” and ends mid-sentence, so the progression is abruptly broken and the comparison is not completed. The response also lacks a concluding development of the remaining categories. Use complete body paragraphs that group related trends, and ensure each linking phrase introduces a fully explained comparison. This would make the organisation more continuous rather than relying on a few basic transitions.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The vocabulary is adequate for describing a table, with relevant phrases such as “percentages of people living in different types of households,” “increased,” “decreased,” and “remained the same.” These choices make the main trends understandable. However, the range is narrow, and some phrasing is imprecise: “the figure … is gradually to 12%” does not clearly express a rise, while “couples with dependent children” could be described more consistently as a household category. There are also spelling and spacing slips, including “SImilarly” and “In1971.” Aim for accurate trend verbs and varied reporting language, while checking spelling and word boundaries. For example, “rose steadily” is clearer than the attempted “is gradually to.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You use a mix of simple statements and a more complex overview sentence, and the meaning is generally clear. However, some grammatical errors remain. The opening says “The table illustrate,” where the singular subject requires “illustrates.” In “This figure is gradually to 12%,” the verb construction is incomplete; use a past-tense form such as “rose gradually to 12%.” The time expression “between 1971and 2007” also needs spacing, and punctuation is inconsistent around percentages and commas. The final sentence is unfinished, which prevents the downward trend from being expressed grammatically. Practise accurate subject–verb agreement, complete verb patterns, and proofreading punctuation while retaining the useful mix of sentence forms.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.