Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-08-25

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 illustrates the percentage of households in owned and rental accommodation in England and Wales between 1918 and 2011.

Overall, the rental accommodation accounted for the largest share in 1918, while it represented the lowest proportion in 2001. In contrast, households in owned accommodation reported the highest percentage in 2001 and lowest in 1918. However, the proportion of the rental accommodation decreased over the period, whereas reverse was true for the people living in owned accommodation over the same period.

Regarding the households in rented accommodation, reported around 77% of the total accommodation in 1918, which was the highest percentage across the period. This figure declined to 69% in 1939 and remained stable in 1953. Furthermore, this figure again decreased to 59% in 1961, 50% in 1971, and 40% in 1981 before falling to 32% in 1991. This figure fell to a low of 31% in 2001. Then, the downward trend got reversed and the number rose to around 36% in 2011.

The households in owned accommodation, on the other hand, represented only 22% in 1918, which was the lowest figure of the period. This then increased to approximately 31% in 1939 and remained unchanged in 1953. Additionally, it then experienced an upward trend till 2001. It reached 41% in 1961, 50% in 1971, and 60% in 1981. This figure then rose to 68% in 1991. It increased to a peak of 69% in 2001 before falling to around 64% in 2011.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response effectively covers all parts of the task. You have identified the main trends and provided a clear overview of the data. The selection of data points is accurate, and you have made relevant comparisons between the two categories throughout the period. The report is well-structured, and the key features, such as the inversion of trends and the peak/low points, are clearly highlighted. To reach a higher band, ensure that the overview is even more concise and that you avoid listing every single data point, focusing instead on the most significant shifts and trends to demonstrate a more analytical approach.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs focusing on each category. The progression of ideas is smooth, and you use a variety of cohesive devices such as 'In contrast', 'Furthermore', and 'on the other hand' to link your points effectively. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the two main trends. The referencing is generally clear, though some transitions could be slightly more sophisticated to avoid a repetitive structure when listing figures. Overall, the information is presented in a coherent and easy-to-follow manner.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey the information clearly. Phrases like 'accounted for the largest share', 'downward trend', and 'remained unchanged' are used accurately. However, there is some repetition of the word 'figure' and 'percentage'. To improve, try to vary your vocabulary by using synonyms or different ways to refer to the data, such as 'proportion', 'rate', or 'level'. While the vocabulary is adequate for the task, incorporating more precise collocations or less common lexical items would help elevate the response to a higher band.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures effectively. Most of your sentences are error-free, and your control of grammar is generally good. There are minor slips, such as 'the downward trend got reversed' (which is slightly informal; 'was reversed' would be better) and 'the rental accommodation accounted for' (where 'rental' should be 'rented' to match the noun). Additionally, 'whereas reverse was true' requires an article: 'whereas the reverse was true'. Despite these minor inaccuracies, your grammar does not impede communication and you show a good command of tense usage for historical data.

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