Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-08-07

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

The chart below shows the percentage of households in owned and rented accommodation in England and Wales between 1918 and 2011.

Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant.

Student answer (Band 7.0)

The chart illustrates the proportion of households living in owner-occupied and rented accommodation in England and Wales from 1918 to 2011.

Overall, the percentage of households that owned their homes increased significantly over the period, while the proportion of rented accommodation declined. Home ownership reached its highest level in 2001 before falling slightly in 2011.

In 1918, the vast majority of households lived in rented homes, accounting for around 78%, whereas only about 22% owned their properties. Over the following decades, the rate of home ownership rose gradually. By 1971, the percentages of owned and rented accommodation were equal at 50%, marking a significant turning point.

After 1971, home ownership continued to grow, reaching approximately 60% in 1981 and 68% in 1991. It peaked at around 69% in 2001, while the proportion of rented homes fell to its lowest point of about 31%.

However, the final decade saw a slight reversal of this trend. In 2011, the percentage of owner-occupied households decreased to roughly 64%, whereas rented accommodation increased to around 36%. Despite this decline, home ownership remained considerably more common than renting by the end of the period.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response fully addresses the prompt by summarizing the main trends in home ownership and renting in England and Wales from 1918 to 2011. You have successfully identified the key features, such as the 1971 crossover point and the peak in 2001. The overview is clear and highlights the significant shift in housing patterns over the period. Data is used effectively to support the description, and the comparisons between the two categories are accurate and well-integrated. The response is balanced and covers all parts of the task comprehensively.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a distinct focus, moving chronologically from the start of the period to the end. Cohesive devices such as 'whereas', 'over the following decades', and 'after 1971' are used effectively to link sentences and paragraphs. The referencing is clear, and the flow of information is smooth throughout the text. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the introduction, overview, and specific time-period details, making the response easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic report. Phrases such as 'proportion of households', 'owner-occupied', 'significant turning point', and 'reversal of this trend' show a level of sophistication. The vocabulary is precise and used accurately to describe the data trends. While the range is sufficient and flexible, it could be further enhanced by incorporating more varied synonyms for 'increased' or 'decreased' to avoid repetition, though the current usage is perfectly acceptable for this task.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The response displays a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences with subordinate clauses (e.g., 'In 1918, the vast majority of households lived in rented homes, accounting for around 78%'). The majority of sentences are error-free, and the control over punctuation and tense is excellent. There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication. The use of both simple and complex structures is balanced, contributing to a fluent and professional tone throughout the report.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.