Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · IELTS Summit Mastery · 2026-09-20

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 illustrates the variation in different types of households and families, representing two types of data, including one person households and one-family households from 1971 to 2007.

The data presents that in Great Britain, for one person household the percentage raises gradually from 1971 to 2007. The initial figure in 1971 was 6% which raise to 8% and 11% in 1981 and 2001 and remains the same in 2001 and 2007 with the percentage of 12%.

While the one -family household type, which includes both couple and a single parent, represents a different trend. For couples with no children, dependent children and non-dependent children, a lot of variation can be seen. In case of couples with no children the data shows exactly the same trend as followed for one person households type. A continues growth can be seen from 1971 to 2007. For couples with dependent children a total opposite trend can be seen. Figures depict a constant decrease started with 52% in 1971 and ended up at 36% in 2007. For non-dependant children with both mother and father a very little change can be observed, with 10% in 1971 and 1981 then raises by 1 % in 1991 and then goes down again to 9% till 2007.

whereas for one family household with only one parent, repetition of the trend can be observed, the figure in 1971 was 4 % then it gows up little by little and ends up 12 % in 2007.

In summary it can be seen that the for one person households type a persistent increase can be seen, on the other hand one family household with both parents and single parnet a mix of trend can be observed.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The student covers all major trends shown in the table, noting the general increase in one-person and lone-parent households, alongside the decline in couple households with dependent children. An overview is present at the end of the response, and key comparisons are made across the categories. However, there are minor numerical inaccuracies in reading the data, such as stating that the figure in 1981 was 8% and 11% in 2001 while describing the 2001 and 2007 figures rather confusingly ('remains the same in 2001 and 2007'). Additionally, the development of some details is slightly repetitive. This performance aligns well with Band 6.0 descriptors.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is structured with an introduction, body paragraphs addressing the categories, and a concluding summary. Paragraphing is used appropriately to group related ideas. Cohesive devices are employed, such as 'While', 'In case of', and 'whereas', although some transitions feel a bit mechanical or awkward ('For non-dependant children with both mother and father'). Referencing is mostly clear, though progression within paragraphs occasionally becomes tangled due to dense referencing of multiple data points. Overall, the logical organization is clear enough to secure a solid Band 6.0.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, attempting less common terms such as 'variation', 'gradually', 'constant decrease', and 'persistent increase'. However, there are numerous errors in word formation, tense usage of verbs functioning as nouns or adjectives (e.g., writing 'raise' instead of 'rose', 'continues' instead of 'continual', 'gows' instead of 'grows'), and minor spelling mistakes like 'parnet'. These lexical inaccuracies prevent the score from reaching a higher band, placing it firmly at Band 5.5.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating some attempt at variety. However, grammatical errors are frequent throughout the text, particularly with verb forms and tense consistency (e.g., 'the initial figure in 1971 was 6% which raise to 8%', 'started with 52%... and ended up at 36%', 'the figure in 1971 was 4 % then it gows up'). Punctuation is also occasionally weak, missing commas after introductory phrases. These errors cause some irritation for the reader, though they do not completely impede overall communication, fitting the Band 5.5 criteria.

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

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