Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-08-20

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 6.5)

The bar chart compares the percentages of households living in owned and rented accommodation in England and Wales between 1918 and 2011.

Overall, home ownership increased considerably over the period, while renting followed the opposite trend. By 2001, owning a home had become much more common than renting.

In 1918, around 23% of households owned their homes, compared with 77% who rented. Ownership then rose gradually, reaching approximately 32% in 1939 and 1953, before increasing to 41% in 1961. In 1971, the figures were equal, at 50% each.

After 1971, ownership continued to rise, reaching about 60% in 1981 and 68% in 1991. It peaked at roughly 69% in 2001, while renting fell to around 31%. However, by 2011, the proportion of homeowners had decreased slightly to 65%, whereas renting increased to 35%.

Thus, the period saw a major shift from rented to owned accommodation.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The student effectively addresses the task by summarizing the main trends in the provided bar chart. They accurately highlight that home ownership increased over the period while renting decreased. The response provides a clear overview, mentioning specific percentages to support their analysis. However, the conclusion could be enhanced by summarizing the overall trend more explicitly. Overall, this is a strong response that meets the task requirements.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response is generally coherent and well-organized, with a logical progression of ideas. The use of linking phrases, such as 'Overall,' and 'Thus,' contributes to the clarity of comparison between home ownership and renting. However, the connection between trends and specific data points could be more fluid at times. For instance, revisiting the trends after each significant date could help reinforce the narrative structure.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The student demonstrates a good lexical resource with appropriate vocabulary throughout the response. Phrases like "home ownership increased considerably" and "major shift from rented to owned accommodation" reflect a solid awareness of academic language. Nonetheless, there are instances of repetitive phrasing, such as 'owned' and 'renting.' Incorporating synonyms or varied expressions could enhance lexical diversity. Overall, effective vocabulary use underpins clear communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

Grammar is utilized effectively with few errors present. The sentence structures are primarily complex and varied, showcasing the student’s grammatical range. For example, sentences such as "ownership then rose gradually" and "the figures were equal" illustrate proper use of past tense forms. There are minor grammatical inaccuracies; for instance, the phrase "Before increasing to 41% in 1961" could be better worded as "before it increased to 41% in 1961" for clearer subject reference. Overall, grammatical accuracy is strong.

Overall feedback

This response effectively summarizes the trends in home ownership and renting in England and Wales from 1918 to 2011. The student presents a clear overall trend and provides relevant figures to support their statements. Strengths include the logical organization and the ability to highlight important data points. To improve, consider varying vocabulary further to avoid repetition and enhance lexical resource. Additionally, ensure smooth transitions between data points to enhance coherence. Attention to minor grammatical adjustments will also strengthen your writing.

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