Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · IELTS Summit Mastery · 2026-10-07

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 change in some household types and family in Great Britain from 1971 to 2007.

Looking at the details, dependent children had the largest percentage of household type, accounting for 52% in 1971, then this figure declined and reach 36% in 2007.

Whereas, people with no children were recorded 19% and this figure rose to 25% in 2007, meanwhile, non- dependent children proportion was just 10% in 1971, the percentage slightly rose by 1% in 1991, however, there was slightly decrease of 2% and recorded 9% in 2007. Lone parent had least numbers in 1971 was 4% , numbers increased to 12% in 2007. The one person was at 6% in 1971, while the figure rose and accounting for 12% in 2007.

Overall, dependent children had the highest proportion in 1971 and it remained highest in 2007, however, non-dependent children percentage decrease over the period of time. No children and lone parent figures were rose , meanwhile, one person proportion rose from 1971 to 2007.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the main pattern accurately: dependent-child households were the largest category in both years, falling from 52% to 36%, while one-person and lone-parent households increased. Most figures you include match the table, including the 19% to 25% rise for couples without children and the change in non-dependent children. However, the overview is partly unclear: saying non-dependent households decreased overlooks their rise to 11% in 1991 before falling, and the final sentence repeats trends rather than selecting the most important comparisons. The response also omits the intermediate figures for several categories, so the account is only partly developed. Make the overview more precise and compare the strongest increases with the marked decline in dependent-child households.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a basic, recognisable structure, with an introduction, a paragraph of figures and a concluding overview. The information is generally grouped by household type, and time comparisons help the reader follow the changes. However, progression is not consistently clear: the overview comes after the detailed account and largely repeats it, while the long middle paragraph combines several categories in one sequence. Linking words such as “Whereas,” “meanwhile” and “however” are sometimes used mechanically or without a clear contrast, making relationships between points less smooth. Organise the body into clearer comparisons—for example, declining versus increasing categories—and use transitions only where the relationship is accurate.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant vocabulary for describing data, including “percentage,” “declined,” “rose” and “proportion,” so the meaning is usually understandable. However, the range is limited and several word combinations are unnatural or imprecise, such as “largest percentage of household type,” “least numbers” and “figures were rose.” Repetition of “figure” and “percentage” also makes the account less flexible. Choose standard chart language and vary it carefully: for example, describe a category as having the “largest share,” and say that a proportion “increased” or “fell.” Check word forms and spacing as well, including the inconsistent hyphenation in “non- dependent.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt some longer sentences and use past-tense forms to report historical data, but control is uneven. Several sentences contain faulty verb forms or missing grammatical elements, as in “this figure declined and reach 36%,” “people with no children were recorded 19%,” and “No children and lone parent figures were rose.” Sentence boundaries and punctuation also need attention: the opening of the second paragraph, “Whereas,” is not a complete sentence, and the long sentence about non-dependent children joins several ideas awkwardly. Use a consistent past-tense pattern, such as “the figure declined to 36%,” and separate complex comparisons into complete, accurately punctuated sentences.

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