Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-09-05

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 given bar chart demonstrates the proportion of households in owned as well as rented accommodation in England and Wales between 1918 and 2011.

According to the chart, initially, in 1918, the majority of households lived in rented accommodation, while a very small proportion of households lived in their own houses. But with the passage of time, the proportion of households in rented accommodation faced a gradual decline. In contrast, the percentage of households living in owned accommodation increased significantly.

In the beginning, a wide range of households lived in rented accommodation. Therefore, a minimum percentage of households were living in owned houses in 1918. After a few years, in 1939, more than 65% of households were in rented accommodation and almost 32% of households were in owned accommodation. Until 1953, it remained almost the same. Then, we observed that the proportion of households in rented accommodation dropped rapidly in the following years, falling to 50% in 1971 and then to around 31% in 2001. Conversely, the proportion of households in owned accommodation started to increase significantly, reaching approximately 69% in 2001.

Finally, in 2011, the percentage of households in owned accommodation declined slightly to around 65%, while the proportion of households in rented accommodation increased to approximately 35%.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

You have successfully identified the main trends and provided a clear overview of the data. You covered the entire period from 1918 to 2011 and highlighted the significant shift between owned and rented accommodation. However, the report could be improved by including more specific data points for the start of the period (1918) to provide a clearer baseline. While you mentioned that a 'very small proportion' lived in owned houses, providing the actual percentage would have strengthened the analysis. Overall, the response is well-focused and meets the requirements of the task by selecting relevant features and making appropriate comparisons throughout the report.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a concluding summary. The progression of ideas is easy to follow, moving chronologically through the data. You use a range of cohesive devices such as 'In contrast', 'Conversely', and 'Finally' to link your ideas effectively. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different stages of the trend. To reach a higher band, ensure that the transition between sentences is slightly more varied, as some of the linking phrases are quite standard. Nevertheless, the information is presented in a coherent manner throughout.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the trends, such as 'gradual decline', 'increased significantly', and 'dropped rapidly'. This allows for flexibility and precision in your description. There are no significant errors in word choice that impede communication. To improve further, try to incorporate more sophisticated collocations or less common lexical items related to data reporting, such as 'a downward trajectory' or 'a marked contrast'. The current vocabulary is adequate for the task and demonstrates a good level of control over the subject matter.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

Your writing displays a good control of grammatical structures. You successfully use a mix of simple and complex sentences, such as 'In contrast, the percentage of households living in owned accommodation increased significantly.' The punctuation is generally accurate, and the sentences are clear. While there are no major errors, the range of complex structures could be expanded to include more varied subordinate clauses or passive constructions to enhance the academic tone. The majority of your sentences are error-free, which indicates a solid grasp of English grammar suitable for this level.

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