Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-08-16
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 5.5)
The line graph illustrates the proportion of households living in owned and rented accommodation in England and Wales between 1918 and 2011.
Overall, it is clear that households in rented accommodation showed an upward trend in 1918, whereas it showed a downward trend in 2011 . It is noticeable that the proportion of households in owned accommodation showed a downward trend in 1918, whereas it showed an upward trend in 2001.
In 1918, households in rented accommodation increased at 77% . It is noticeable that the proportion of households in rented accommodation slightly decreased year by year. This was followed by in 1939 and 1953 the proportion of rented accommodation was the same , at 65% respectively . But in contrast , the proportion of households rented accommodation in 1981 slightly decreased , at 40%.
In 1918, households in owned accommodation decreased , at 22%. It is noticeable that the proportion of households in owned accommodation increased over the years. The percentages of households in owned accommodation in 1939 and 1953 were the same ,at 30% . In 1991 and 2001 the percentages were the same ,at 67% respectively. But in 2011, the proportion of households in owned accommodation decreased while the proportion of households in rented accommodation increased.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main features of the chart, identifying the key trends for both owned and rented accommodation. However, the analysis is somewhat mechanical and contains inaccuracies in data interpretation. For instance, stating that rented accommodation 'increased at 77%' in 1918 is confusing, as it was the starting point rather than an increase. Additionally, the description of trends is occasionally contradictory, such as claiming owned accommodation showed a downward trend in 1918 when it was simply at its lowest point. While the main features are highlighted, the lack of clear comparison and some misinterpretation of the data points prevent a higher score.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is often repetitive and sometimes misused. Phrases like 'It is noticeable that' are used excessively, which makes the flow feel mechanical rather than natural. The transition between sentences is sometimes abrupt, and the logical progression of ideas is hindered by the repetitive structure of the sentences. While the overall arrangement is coherent, the lack of variety in linking words and the mechanical nature of the cohesion limit the effectiveness of the writing.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary used is adequate for the task but lacks variety and precision. The student relies heavily on basic verbs like 'increased', 'decreased', and 'showed'. There is little attempt to use more sophisticated or varied vocabulary to describe trends, such as 'fluctuated', 'peaked', 'remained stable', or 'surpassed'. While the vocabulary is sufficient to convey the basic meaning, the repetitive nature of the word choices and the lack of less common lexical items restrict the score. The phrasing is functional but does not demonstrate the flexibility required for higher bands.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response uses a mix of simple and some complex sentence structures, but there are frequent errors in grammar and punctuation. Issues include incorrect preposition usage ('increased at 77%'), awkward phrasing ('followed by in 1939'), and redundant punctuation (spaces before commas). While these errors do not completely impede communication, they are frequent enough to be noticeable. The control over complex structures is limited, and the sentence construction often feels clunky. Improving the accuracy of basic grammatical structures and reducing punctuation errors would significantly enhance the quality of the writing.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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