Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · IELTS Summit Mastery · 2026-09-13

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 7.0)

The table illustrates the percentage distribution of people living in different household and family types in Great Britain, spanning from 1971 to 2007.

Overall, a noticeable trend is that households comprising couples with dependent children declined steadily throughout the period. In contrast, the percentage of one-person households, couples without children, and lone-parent families increased, indicating a significant change in family structure over the 36-year period.

In 1971, couples with dependent children accounted for the largest proportion of households, at 52%. However, this figure fell consistently, reaching 47% in 1981, 41% in 1991, 39% in 2001, and finally 36% in 2007. In contrast, couples with no children experienced a gradual increase in the percentage, from 19% in 1971 to 20% in 1981 and 23% in 1991, before reaching 25% in 2001 and remaining the same thereafter. Meanwhile, the proportion of couples with non-dependent children witnessed slight fluctuations between 9% and 11%.

Similarly, the percentage of one-person households

doubled from 6% in 1971 to 12% in 2001, which remained unchanged in 2007. Likewise, the proportion of lone-parent households surged from 6% in 1971 to 10% in 1991, before reaching 12% in both years, 2001 and 2007

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response covers all key features of the data well, providing a clear overview followed by detailed comparisons of household types between 1971 and 2007. The student successfully selects and reports main trends, such as the decline in couples with dependent children and the rise in one-person households, and incorporates specific numerical data to support these points. The information is accurate according to the provided graph, and comparisons are made effectively across the time period, satisfying all requirements of Task 1.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay displays clear logical organisation and progression throughout. It begins with a suitable introduction, moves into a clear overall trend summary, and follows with well-structured body paragraphs detailing specific categories. Cohesive devices such as 'Overall', 'In contrast', 'Similarly', and 'meanwhile' are used effectively to link ideas and guide the reader. Paragraphing is logical, with each section dedicated to distinct household categories, ensuring smooth flow and easy navigation through the data.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The student uses a sufficient and appropriate range of vocabulary suitable for an academic task, including terms like 'percentage distribution', 'proportion', 'fluctuations', and 'surged'. Word choices and collocations are generally accurate, allowing the information to be conveyed with precision. While there are no major lexical errors, the vocabulary occasionally relies on standard reporting terms rather than highly sophisticated uncommon lexical items, which places it solidly at a band 7 level.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The response demonstrates a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as participial phrases ('spanning from 1971 to 2007') and subordinate clauses ('while the proportion of couples with non-dependent children witnessed...'). The majority of sentences are error-free, and control over grammar and punctuation is strong throughout. Complex structures are handled with good control, resulting in clear and precise communication without significant grammatical slips.

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

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