Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · IELTS Summit Mastery · 2026-10-21

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 table gives information about the proportion of families in different types of households in Great Britain over a period of 36 years.

There are two main types of households shown in the table. First is the one person household and the second one is the One-family household. Moreover One-family household is further divided into two categories, Couples and Lone parent. The proportion of one person households experienced a small increase throughout the period. The percentage of couple type households without any children is also increased over the period whereas the percentage of couple type with dependent children decreased dramatically. In comparison, the proportion of couples having non-dependent children slightly fluctuated throughout the period. The percentage of lone parent which is a sub-division of one-family households, increased significantly.

In 1971, One person household type started at 6% and increased about 6% and reached overall 12% in 2001 and remained unchanged at the end of the period in 2007. Couple type households with no children showed the similar trend as one person household but started at 19% in 1971, reached 25% in 2001 which is 6% increase and ending at 25% in 2007. In comparison, Couple type households with dependent children decreased considerably starting from 52% in 1971 and ending at 36% in 2007. Couple type households with independent children showed a minor fluctuation starting from 10% in 1971 and reaching 11% in 1991 then in 2007 it ended up at 9%. The lone parent class of households experienced a significant increase with 4% in 1971 and ended at 12% in 2007.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You cover the main household categories and identify the key overall patterns: one-person and lone-parent households rose, couples with dependent children declined, and couples without children increased. The figures you give are generally accurate, including the starting and ending values for these groups. This meets the task well, and the overview is clear. However, the category structure is misrepresented: the table lists couples with three child-status groups and lone parents, rather than dividing couples simply into “Couples” and “Lone parent.” Also, the claim that non-dependent children “fluctuated” is not fully supported; the figures are stable or close to stable, moving from 10% to 11% and then down to 9%. Clarifying these points and comparing the largest and smallest groups would make the report more complete and precise.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall arrangement: an introduction, a summary of trends, and a paragraph with figures. This makes the information easy to follow, and comparisons such as “In comparison” help signal contrasts. However, the overview and detail are not separated as effectively as they could be, and the second paragraph repeats several trends already stated in the first. Some linking is mechanical, particularly the repeated use of “In comparison” and “whereas.” The explanation of the household categories also interrupts the trend summary and is not entirely clear. Organise the report into a concise overview followed by grouped details—for example, rising categories together and declining or stable categories together—and use references such as “this figure” only where their meaning is unmistakable.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a relevant range of trend vocabulary, including “increased,” “decreased considerably,” “remained unchanged,” and “minor fluctuation,” so the main movements are communicated. There are also attempts at more formal reporting language, such as “proportion” and “experienced.” However, several phrases are repetitive or imprecise: “couple type households” is used repeatedly, and “independent children” does not match the table’s label, “non-dependent children.” “Reached overall 12%” and “showed the similar trend” are also unnatural collocations. Aim for concise, conventional chart language and use the table’s categories consistently. More precise vocabulary would improve clarity and flexibility without requiring more elaborate wording.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You use both simple and complex sentence forms, including clauses linked with “whereas” and “which,” and most of the meaning remains clear. However, some grammatical errors recur. For example, “The percentage … is also increased” uses an incorrect verb form; use “increased” or “also rose.” Articles and number are inconsistent in “the one person household” and “one person households,” while “showed the similar trend” needs “a similar trend.” The sentence beginning “In 1971, One person household type started…” is also awkwardly constructed, and several category names are capitalised inconsistently. Review verb forms, articles, and singular/plural agreement, then check punctuation and sentence boundaries. These corrections would make the varied structures more controlled.

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