Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · IELTS Summit Mastery · 2026-08-31

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)

This table illustrates the difference between 1971 and 2007 in householding types in great Britain

the table is divided into five main timelines 1971,1981,1991,2001,2007 also we have the householding types and they are one person ,one-family household , couple ,no children, dependent children , non-dependent children, last but not least lone parent.

Now let's start with the obvious changes moving to the major ones, To begin with we are going to start with the one person category that shows a gradual increase from 1971 up to 2007 and that gradual increase will continue with the no children category as well as the Lone parent category however when we look at the percentage of dependent children we can clearly see a dramatic decrease it started with 52% in 1971 and dropped all the way down to 36% in 2007 even though the decrease was gradual but the decrease was huge compared to the other categories last but not least the Non-dependent children category it showed more stable behavior than any of the other categories.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response identifies the main trends, such as the increase in one-person households and the decrease in dependent children. However, the report lacks a clear overview or summary of the data, which is a requirement for Task 1. The structure is somewhat informal, and the analysis is limited to a few categories without providing a comprehensive comparison of all data points. While the key features are mentioned, the lack of a formal summary and the omission of specific data comparisons for some categories prevent a higher score. To improve, ensure you include a clear 'overview' paragraph that highlights the most significant trends across the entire period.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The response lacks formal paragraphing, appearing as a single block of text. The use of cohesive devices is mechanical and repetitive, with phrases like 'To begin with' and 'last but not least' used in a way that feels conversational rather than academic. The progression of ideas is somewhat disjointed, as the transition between describing the categories and the specific data points is abrupt. To improve, use clear paragraph breaks to separate the introduction, the overview, and the detailed body paragraphs. Use a wider variety of linking words to connect ideas more naturally.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks the precision and variety expected for higher bands. Phrases like 'gradual increase' and 'dramatic decrease' are used correctly, but the range is limited. There are some informal expressions, such as 'Now let's start with the obvious changes', which are inappropriate for an academic report. The spelling of 'Great Britain' should be capitalized. To improve, incorporate more precise vocabulary related to data description, such as 'fluctuated', 'remained constant', or 'accounted for', and avoid conversational fillers.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response relies heavily on simple sentence structures and run-on sentences. There are frequent punctuation errors, such as missing spaces after commas and inconsistent capitalization. Some sentences are grammatically awkward, for example, 'the table is divided into five main timelines 1971,1981,1991,2001,2007 also we have the householding types'. The lack of proper sentence boundaries makes the text difficult to follow. To improve, focus on using a mix of simple and complex sentences and ensure that each sentence is punctuated correctly with a subject and a verb.

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