Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-09-12

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 data regarding the percentage of households preferring owned and rented accomodation in England and Wales from 1918 to 2011. Overall, the statistical data depicts reversal of choices over the period of time. It is explicitly evident that households in rented accomadation have decreased marginally and in contrast, households in owned accomodation have increased significantly.

Looking first at the households of owned accomodation, it experienced a substantial rise from 1918 to 2011. The percentage of households initiated at approximately 22% in 1918 and significantly escalating to almost 70% in 2001, before falling to 65% in 2011.

Turning to the proportion of households in rented accomodation, it recorded a marginal reduction till 2001 and surged slightly. The maximum percentage of rented households was recorded in 1918 at 75% which dropped down to 31% in 2001. However, it rose slightly in 2011 reaching at 35%. Therefore, people have preferred owned accomodation in 2011 and rented in 1918.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response successfully satisfies the core requirements of Task 1 by selecting and reporting the main features of the chart regarding accommodation in England and Wales. The overview is clear and accurately highlights the reversal of trends between owned and rented housing from 1918 to 2011. Key data points are identified, such as the starting and ending figures, as well as the peak in rental accommodation in 1918 (75%) and homeownership in 2001 (nearly 70%). While some minor data precision could be enhanced, the main features and general comparisons are well covered, fitting comfortably into the Band 7 descriptor.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The report demonstrates a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Information is grouped appropriately into an introduction with an overview, followed by distinct body paragraphs focusing on owned and rented accommodation separately. Cohesive devices are used reasonably well to guide the reader, such as 'Looking first at', 'Turning to', and 'However'. Paragraphing is handled sufficiently. While referencing is generally clear, occasional mechanical transitions prevent the response from achieving a higher band, placing it solidly at Band 7.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The student uses a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe trends, including appropriate lexical items such as 'proportion', 'substantial rise', 'marginal reduction', and 'surged'. However, there are some recurrent spelling errors with specific words, notably 'accomodation' (spelled with a single 'm' multiple times) and 'initiates' used inappropriately as a participle ('initiated'). Despite these minor lexical and spelling inaccuracies that persist, the vocabulary is adequate for the task and allows clear communication, justifying a Band 6.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response features a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating attempts at varied structures such as participial phrases and subordinate clauses ('before falling to 65% in 2011'). There are some noticeable grammatical errors, such as 'The percentage of households initiated at approximately 22%' (passive voice misuse) and minor prepositional awkwardness like 'reaching at 35%'. Nevertheless, these errors rarely impede communication and the overall structure remains coherent, aligning well with the Band 6 descriptor.

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