Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · IELTS Summit Mastery · 2026-09-19

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 6.0)

The given table chart the changes in the percentages of people living in different types of household in great Britain between 1971 and 2007.

Overall, the proportion of people living alone and in families increased dduring the period. In contrast, the percentage of people living with dependent children declined considerably.

To commence with, the percentage of living alone also increased steadily, from 6% in 1971 to 12 % in 2001 and 2007. Secondly, the proportion of single-parent household rose from 4% to 12% over the same period. Meanwhile, household with non-dependent children remained relatively stable, fluctuating between 9% and 11%. However, in 1971, 52% of people lived in families with dependent children. This figure gradually decreased to 47% in 1981, 41% in 1919 and 39% in 2001, before reaching 36% in 2007. On the other hand, household consisiting of couples without children showed an upward trend. Their proportion rose from 19% in 1971 to 25% in 2001.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response successfully covers the main trends shown in the table regarding household types in Great Britain between 1971 and 2007. The candidate provides a clear overview in the second paragraph, noting the general increase in people living alone and in families alongside the significant decline in those living with dependent children. Key features are selected and reported, such as the rise in one-person and lone-parent households from 6% and 4% to 12% respectively, and the drop in dependent children households from 52% to 36%. However, there is a minor data transcription typo ('41% in 1919' instead of 1991), and the final sentence trails off slightly without mentioning the final 2007 figure for couples without children. Overall, all parts of the task are addressed adequately, placing it at a solid Band 6.5 or Band 7.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is structured with a clear introduction, an overview paragraph, and body paragraphs that group information logically. Cohesive devices are employed to guide the reader through the data, using phrases like 'In contrast', 'To commence with', 'Meanwhile', and 'On the other hand'. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the overview from the detailed body points. However, some transitions feel a bit formulaic ('To commence with'), and referencing is occasionally slightly loose. Progression is generally clear throughout, ensuring the overall arrangement remains coherent, which aligns well with the descriptors for Band 6.5 to 7.0.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The candidate demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for a data-summarising task, employing terms such as 'proportion', 'fluctuating', 'upward trend', and 'gradually decreased'. There are some successful attempts at less common vocabulary. However, there are notable lexical and typographical inaccuracies throughout the text, such as 'table chart the changes' (a blend of table and chart), 'great Britain' (capitalisation error), 'dduring' (spelling error), and 'household consisiting' (spelling error). These do not impede communication overall, but they prevent the score from reaching the higher bands. The range is sufficient for the task.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response features a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, with attempts at subordinate clauses ('while fluctuating between 9% and 11%', 'before reaching 36% in 2007'). There are several grammatical errors and awkward phrasings, such as 'the percentage of living alone' (should be 'living alone' or 'the percentage of people living alone'), 'household with non-dependent children' (plural agreement error), and the date slip '1919' instead of '1991'. Despite these recurring slips, the meaning is generally clear and communication is not seriously impeded. This warrants a Band 6.0 for grammatical control.

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

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