Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · IELTS Summit Mastery · 2026-10-13

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 5.5)

The table illustrates the change in some types of household between 1971 and 2007 in Great Britain.

Overall, Dependent children recorded the largest proportion, however its figure then fall over the period. Lone parent was less popular compare to other categories in the initial period, but it then grew gradually throughout the period.

On the one hand, One person recorded around 6% in 1971. It then grew gradually to 11% in 1991, followed with 12% in both 2001 and 2007. No children also registered a marginal growth, from 19% to 23% in 1971 and 1991 respectively. It continued to grow at 25% in both 2001 and 2007. Subsequently, in terms of Lone parent, it recorded the least percentage, at 4% in 1971, followed by slight increase upto 10% in 1991, reaching 12% in 2007.

On the other hand, Dependent children experienced a drastical decrease, from 52% to 41% in 1971 and 1991 respectively, then it continued to fall to 36% in 2007. Lastly, Non-Dependent children recorded 10% in 1971, its figure then begun to fall gradually to 11% in 1991, reaching at 9% in 2007.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the main overall contrast: dependent-child households were the largest category but declined, while lone-parent households increased. Most reported figures are accurate, including the 6% to 12% rise for one-person households and the fall from 52% to 36% for dependent children. However, the overview is limited and does not capture other important patterns, such as the rise in couples with no children and the broadly stable non-dependent-child figures. There is also a factual inconsistency: you say lone parents recorded the least percentage in 1971, although non-dependent children were higher at 10%. The description of non-dependent children is confused: they rose to 11% in 1991 before falling to 9%, rather than beginning to fall. A clearer, more complete overview and precise comparisons would strengthen the response.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, an overview and two detail paragraphs. The contrast signalled by “On the one hand” and “On the other hand” helps group the categories, and the information is generally understandable. However, the grouping does not create a fully clear progression: the first detail paragraph combines three rising categories, while the second includes two declining or fluctuating ones, and the overview does not preview all these patterns. Some linking expressions are mechanical or awkward, such as “Subsequently” and “Lastly,” and “it” is not always a clear reference when several household types are discussed. Organise the details into clearer trend groups and use explicit category names when changing subjects to improve cohesion.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use enough topic vocabulary to describe the table, including “proportion,” “gradually,” “decrease” and “marginal growth,” and the meaning is usually clear. There are, however, noticeable problems with word choice, collocation and word forms. “Lone parent was less popular” treats a household category as a preference, while “drastical decrease” is not a natural form; “dramatic decrease” would be appropriate. “Followed with” and “reaching at” are also awkward combinations, and “upto” should be written as two words. Repetition of “recorded” and “grew” limits the range. Aim for precise, neutral reporting verbs and natural collocations, such as “accounted for,” “rose to” and “declined to,” while checking word forms.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and complex sentences, including clauses linked with “however,” “but” and “while,” and the main trends can generally be followed. Some grammatical errors remain, particularly in verb forms and sentence construction. For example, “its figure then fall” should be “its figure then fell,” and “its figure then begun to fall” should be “its figure then began to fall.” In “No children also registered a marginal growth, from 19% to 23% in 1971 and 1991,” the time comparison is awkwardly attached and would be clearer as “from 19% in 1971 to 23% in 1991.” Capitalisation of category names is also inconsistent. Review tense consistency and build comparisons with clear, parallel grammatical structures.

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