Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-08-14

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 bar chart illustrates the proportion of households living in rented and owned accommodation in England and Wales from 1918 to 2011.

Overall, the percentage of households in owned accommodation increased over the period. In contrast, the proportion of households in rented accommodation decreased significantly, despite some fluctuations. Moreover, the percentages of owned and rented accommodation were equal at one point.

An analysis of the image reveals that in 1918, the percentage of households in owned accommodation was around 23%, whereas the proportion in rented accommodation was approximately 78%. Later, in 1953, the figure for owned accommodation increased slightly to 31%, whilst the figure for rented accommodation decreased to approximately 69%.

From the image it is evident that, in 1971, the percentages of both owned and rented accommodation were equal and accounted for 50%. In contrast, in 1991, the percentage of owned accommodation rose to 69%, while the percentage of rented accommodation dipped to 32%. However, in 2011, the proportion of households in owned accommodation reached 64%, whilst the proportion of rented accommodation stood at 38%.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

You have successfully identified the main trends and provided a clear overview of the data. You selected key data points, such as the starting figures in 1918 and the crossover point in 1971, which effectively highlights the significant shift in housing trends. The comparison between owned and rented accommodation is consistent throughout the response. To reach a higher band, ensure that all data points are accurate; for instance, the 1918 figures (23% and 78%) sum to 101%, which is a minor inconsistency. Overall, the response is well-structured and covers all requirements of the task effectively.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The response is logically organized with a clear introduction, an overview paragraph, and two body paragraphs detailing the data. You use cohesive devices such as 'In contrast', 'Moreover', and 'However' effectively to guide the reader through the information. The progression of ideas is smooth, moving from the initial state to the crossover point and finally to the end of the period. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the overview from the specific data analysis, which enhances the overall readability of the report.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey the information clearly. Phrases like 'proportion of households', 'accounted for', and 'stood at' are used accurately. While the vocabulary is functional and appropriate for an Academic Task 1 report, it lacks a wider variety of less common lexical items that would demonstrate more sophisticated control. To improve, try to incorporate more varied verbs for describing trends, such as 'surpassed', 'plummeted', or 'stabilized', rather than relying primarily on 'increased' and 'decreased'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

Your grammar is generally accurate, and you use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures effectively. There are very few errors, and those present do not impede communication. You demonstrate good control over punctuation and sentence construction. To move into the higher band, you could incorporate a wider variety of complex grammatical structures, such as using participle clauses (e.g., 'reaching a peak of...') or more advanced passive constructions to describe the data, which would further demonstrate your grammatical flexibility.

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.