Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · IELTS Summit Mastery · 2026-08-21
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 given table the significant changes in some household types in Great Britain between 1971 and 2007.
Overall, dependent children was the highest household ratio in Great Britain among all others from 1971 to 2007 and lone parent and one person was the least household percentage throughout the period.
Started with one person household type. In 1971, its value was probably 6% but it rises over the period and it reaches 12% in 2007.
One-family households and couple percentage shows empty space all over the period.
A families who live without children those families ratio started with 19% in 1971 and it grows over the time and its peak value were approximately 25%.
Dependent children households percentages fluctuate over the period. In 1971, it ratio almost 52% but from 1981 to 2007 it decreased dramatically and reaches around 36%.
Non-dependent children have the same ratio in 1971 and 1981 which is approximately 10% but in 1991, it grew slightly 11% than again shrink slightly and reaches 9%.
Lone parent household ratio started from 4% in 1971 and then rises sharpley throughout the period.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main features of the table, but the analysis is inconsistent. While you identify the trends for most categories, the description of 'one-family households' is unclear, stating it 'shows empty space,' which is not an accurate interpretation of the data. Furthermore, some figures are imprecise or misread, such as the claim that dependent children households were 52% in 1971, when the data shows 31%. To improve, ensure you accurately extract data points and provide a more cohesive summary of the overall trends rather than listing each category in isolation. The overview is present but lacks sufficient detail regarding the most significant shifts.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into paragraphs, but the logical flow is hindered by repetitive sentence structures and a lack of effective cohesive devices. You rely heavily on simple transitions like 'In 1971' or 'In 2007' to start sentences, which makes the writing feel mechanical. There is a lack of linking words to show contrast or progression between ideas. For instance, the transition between the overview and the body paragraphs is abrupt. To reach a higher band, use a wider variety of cohesive devices such as 'conversely,' 'in contrast,' or 'subsequently' to connect your observations more fluidly.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks the precision required for a higher band. You use basic descriptors like 'rises' and 'grows' repeatedly. There are also some awkward collocations and word choices, such as 'household ratio' (instead of 'proportion' or 'percentage') and 'empty space' to describe data. Spelling errors like 'sharpley' also detract from the overall quality. To improve, focus on using more academic synonyms for trends, such as 'fluctuated,' 'declined significantly,' or 'remained stable,' and ensure you use terminology appropriate for statistical reporting.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains a mix of simple and some attempted complex structures, but grammatical errors are frequent and occasionally impede clarity. Examples include 'The given table the significant changes' (missing verb), 'A families who live without children those families ratio' (redundant subjects and incorrect article usage), and 'it ratio almost 52%' (incorrect pronoun/verb usage). Subject-verb agreement is inconsistent throughout the text. While the meaning is generally understandable, the frequency of these errors prevents the response from reaching a higher band. Focus on proofreading for basic sentence construction and subject-verb agreement.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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