Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-08-24
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 bar illustrate the percentage of households being owned or rented accommodation in England and Wales between 1918 and 2011.
In 1918 approx 80% of households were being a rented accommodation while just over 22% household were being owned accommodation. In the next 21 years by 1939 the rented accommodation percent drop to 69 while households owned saw the slight rise from 22% to 32%.
The next 22 years followed of similar pattern. In 1953 percentage of both owned and rented household accommodation remains firm at same percentages. While 1961 saw changes, households which were owned accommodation raise to 40% in addition the rented accommodations falls to 59%.
In 1917, both accommodation stays on the same 50 perfect. The pattern changed in 1981, owned households accommodation had 60 % while rented household accommodation dropped to 40%.
In 1991, 68% households were owned accommodation and 32% were rented accommodation. In 2001, 31% were rented accommodation while 69% were owned accommodation.
In 2011, owned accommodation saw slightly dip and falls to 65% approx while the rented households accommodation stays at 35%.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response provides a summary of the main features, but it lacks a clear overview of the overall trends. While you have identified some data points, the report is essentially a list of figures rather than a cohesive summary. You have also made several factual errors regarding the data (e.g., stating 1917 instead of 1971, and misinterpreting the 1953 data point). To improve, focus on identifying the most significant trends—such as the steady decline in rented accommodation and the inverse rise in ownership—rather than listing every single year. A clear overview paragraph is essential for a higher band score.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the chronological structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is limited and sometimes mechanical. Transitions between sentences are often repetitive, and the logical flow is hindered by the lack of an introductory overview and a concluding summary. The referencing is sometimes unclear, and the progression of ideas feels like a list of isolated facts rather than a coherent analysis of the data. Improving the use of linking words such as 'consequently', 'in contrast', or 'meanwhile' would help connect your ideas more effectively.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is somewhat repetitive, relying heavily on phrases like 'rented accommodation' and 'owned accommodation'. There are also errors in word choice and form, such as 'raise' instead of 'rose' and 'perfect' instead of 'percent'. While the vocabulary is sufficient to convey the basic meaning, it lacks the range and precision required for higher bands. You should aim to use more varied synonyms and descriptive verbs to report trends, such as 'fluctuated', 'remained stable', or 'experienced a significant decline'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
There are frequent grammatical errors throughout the text, including issues with subject-verb agreement ('The bar illustrate', 'percentage... remains'), tense usage ('rented accommodation percent drop'), and article usage. The sentence structures are mostly simple, with limited attempts at complex sentences. While the meaning is generally understandable, the high frequency of errors in basic grammar and sentence construction prevents the response from reaching a higher band. Focus on proofreading for basic verb forms and ensuring that your subjects and verbs agree.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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