Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-08-18

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 7.5)

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

Overall, home ownership increased over the period, while the proportion of rented households followed the opposite trend. The two figures were equal in 1971, and ownership reached a peak in 2001 before declining slightly.

Moving into more detail, in 1918, renting was by far the most common arrangement, accounting for 78% of households, compared with 22% who owned their homes. The percentage of homeowners then rose gradually, reached 31% in 1939 and 32% in 1953. It increased further to 42% in 1961 and 50% in 1971, when both categories represented half of all households.

After 1971, ownership continued to rise, reaching 60% in 1981 and 68% in 1991. It peaked at 69% in 2001, while renting fell to just 31%. By 2011, ownership had decreased to 64%, whereas renting rose to 36%.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response effectively addresses all parts of the task. You have provided a clear overview of the main trends and successfully selected key data points to support your summary. The identification of the 1971 crossover point is a particularly strong feature, as it highlights a significant comparative detail. The data is accurately reported, and the comparison between the two categories is consistent throughout the text. You have fully met the requirements for an Academic Task 1 response by reporting the main features and making relevant comparisons.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, a concise overview, and two body paragraphs that group the data chronologically. The progression of ideas is smooth, and the use of cohesive devices such as 'while', 'whereas', and 'after 1971' is effective in linking the information. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the initial overview from the detailed analysis. The flow of information is natural, and the relationship between the two categories is consistently maintained, making the text easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey the information accurately. Phrases like 'proportion of households', 'opposite trend', and 'represented half of all households' demonstrate good control. While the vocabulary is functional and accurate, it is generally standard. To reach a higher band, you could incorporate more sophisticated collocations or varied synonyms for 'increased' and 'decreased' to demonstrate a wider, more flexible range of lexical items. However, the current usage is precise and error-free.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The response displays a good variety of complex structures, such as the use of subordinate clauses ('while the proportion of rented households followed the opposite trend') and participle phrases ('accounting for 78% of households'). The grammar is highly accurate, with no significant errors that impede communication. The sentence structures are varied, and the punctuation is used correctly to support the clarity of the report. The control over tense and subject-verb agreement is consistent throughout the text.

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.