Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-10-05

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 5.5)

The bar chart illustrates the proportion residents in owned and rented housing in England and wales 1918 to 2011.

Overall, the rented accommodation was highest in the start and experienced steadily decline over the period , while residents who owned the housing had lowest figures in the begining years . Although, in the mid year 1971 both categories were remained the same number.

In 1918, the proportion of people with having rented houses with massive figures approximately 78% as compared to owned residnets around 22%. while, in 1939 both groups experienced gradually rise and fall with (68% and 32%) , respectively , this figures remaind the same until 1961, rented group further decliene to 69% and owned climbed to 41%. Although, in 1971 both categories become equal number 50%.

In contrast, after 1971 pattern had changed , whereas percentage of households in owned accommodation continue increases at peak 2001 with approximately 79% before decline slightly by 2011 to 75%. Furthermore, other group declined gradually to 2001 with lowest figures 31% than rose slightly in 2011 and finished 35%.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The response successfully covers all parts of the task by reporting the main features and making relevant comparisons across the given timeframe. You correctly identified the overarching trends, noting that rented accommodation was initially dominant while homeownership started low before eventually surpassing it. Key data points, such as the crossover point in 1971 and the peak years, are included. However, some parts are developed more fully than others, and there are several minor inaccuracies in the data you cited. For instance, you stated that the 2001 peak for owned accommodation was approximately 79%, whereas the chart shows it closer to 69%, and your description of the 1961 figures contains confusing phrasing ('rented group further decliene to 69%'). To move higher, ensure that data points are read and reported with greater accuracy and that all selected features are clearly and thoroughly explained.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

Your response maintains a coherent overall arrangement with a clear attempt to structure the answer into an introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs. Progression is generally understandable, moving logically from the beginning of the period towards the end. However, cohesion is frequently mechanical and sometimes faulty. You rely on transitional words like 'Although' and 'whereas' awkwardly, often using them as sentence openers where they do not logically connect clauses, such as 'Although, in the mid year 1971 both categories were remained the same number.' Referencing and linking between sentences can be disjointed, and punctuation errors around cohesive devices occasionally disrupt the flow. To improve, work on using a wider variety of cohesive devices more naturally and ensure that your sentences are linked logically rather than just sequentially.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, attempting some less common and topic-specific terms such as 'proportion', 'accommodation', and 'categories'. However, your control of lexical resource is limited by frequent inaccuracies in word choice, spelling, and word form. For instance, you misspelled 'residents' as 'residnets' and 'decline' as 'declinee', and you used awkward phrasing such as 'proportion residents' instead of 'the proportion of residents' and 'massive figures' instead of high percentages. Words are sometimes chosen inappropriately for the context, such as using 'group' to refer to a data category. These errors do not completely impede communication, but they restrict your score. To achieve a higher band, you need to use vocabulary more precisely and eliminate basic spelling and word-formation errors.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response displays a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, attempting structures like subordinate clauses and comparative phrases. However, there are frequent errors in grammar and punctuation throughout the text. You have issues with verb tenses and forms, such as 'experienced steadily decline' (missing an article), 'both categories were remained' (incorrect passive/active mix), and 'this figures remaind' (agreement and tense errors). Prepositions and articles are also frequently missing or misused, as seen in 'at start' and 'at peak 2001'. While these errors rarely completely obscure your meaning, they occur with enough frequency to cause difficulty for the reader at times. To progress, you need to exercise better control over basic sentence structures, subject-verb agreement, and verb forms.

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

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