Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)

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

The response effectively covers the requirements of the task. You have identified the main trends and provided relevant data points to support your description. The overview is clear, highlighting the inverse relationship between owned and rented accommodation over the period. You have successfully selected key features, such as the initial dominance of rented housing and the eventual shift toward home ownership. To reach a higher band, ensure that all data points are accurate and avoid repetitive phrasing when describing trends. Overall, the response is well-focused and addresses all parts of the prompt.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a distinct focus, moving from the introduction to the initial state, the subsequent trends, and the final data point. Cohesive devices such as 'In contrast', 'Conversely', and 'Finally' are used effectively to link ideas. However, some transitions feel slightly mechanical, and the referencing could be more varied. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the information flows smoothly from one point to the next, making the response easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'proportion', 'gradual decline', and 'significantly'. While the vocabulary is sufficient to convey meaning clearly, it lacks the sophistication and precision required for higher bands. There is some repetition of phrases such as 'proportion of households' and 'rented accommodation'. To improve, try to incorporate more varied synonyms or collocations related to statistical reporting, such as 'the majority of residents' or 'a marked shift in housing tenure'. The current range is functional but not particularly flexible.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are clear and grammatically correct, which ensures that communication is never impeded. There are occasional minor errors, such as 'a wide range of households lived in rented accommodation' (which is slightly imprecise in this context). You have good control over basic grammar and punctuation. To achieve a higher score, try to incorporate a wider variety of complex structures, such as participle clauses or more sophisticated subordinating conjunctions, while maintaining the current level of accuracy.

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

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