Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-09-03

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 6.0)

The provided bar graph depicts the percentages of owned households and rented accommodation in England and Wales in the period of 1918 to 2011.

Overall, what stands out from the data is that at the beginning of the period most people rented the accommodation, while its proportion decreased by 2011. However, majority of people owned houses by the end of the period.

In 1918, nearly 78% of people rented homes, it dropped to around 68% until 1953. The proportion of percentage declined for the next few centuries. From 1991 to 2001 it reached to nearly 30%, finally, showed a slight increase to around 35% in 2011.

Initially, the ratio of percentages of household who owned accommodation was in minority. Just around 22% of households bought personal homes in 1918, it rose to 30% in 1939 and remained level off until 1953. The percentage of owned households grew to 50% in 1971, and 60% in the next ten years. The majority of owned households increased to nearly 70% in 2001 and declined slightly to around 65% by the end of the period.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response covers all parts of the task and provides a clear overview of the trends. You have successfully identified the main features, such as the inverse relationship between owned and rented accommodation over the period. However, there are some inaccuracies in the data reporting. For instance, you mention the proportion declined for the 'next few centuries,' which is a factual error given the timeframe is less than a century. Additionally, some figures are slightly imprecise compared to the chart. To reach a higher band, ensure that your data points are accurately transcribed and that your descriptions of time periods are logically consistent with the provided data.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response is logically organized with a clear introduction, overview, and body paragraphs. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the two categories. Cohesive devices such as 'initially,' 'however,' and 'finally' are used to guide the reader through the data. However, the flow is occasionally hindered by slightly mechanical transitions and some awkward phrasing, such as 'the proportion of percentage declined.' Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring that referencing is consistently clear would help elevate the coherence of the essay.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'depicts,' 'proportion,' and 'accommodation.' There are some instances of imprecise word choice, such as 'remained level off' (which is grammatically incorrect) and 'ratio of percentages.' You also use 'majority' and 'minority' in a way that is slightly repetitive. To improve, focus on using more precise collocations and avoiding redundant phrasing. Expanding your vocabulary to include more varied ways of describing trends—such as 'fluctuated,' 'stabilized,' or 'a marked decline'—would be beneficial.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical errors, such as 'remained level off' (should be 'leveled off'), 'reached to nearly 30%' (should be 'reached nearly 30%'), and 'the proportion of percentage.' These errors are frequent enough to be noticeable but do not prevent the reader from understanding the main points. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of prepositions after verbs like 'reach.' Increasing the use of error-free complex sentences will help you achieve a higher band score.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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