Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-10-26

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 chart illustrated the comparision between households in owned and rented accommodation in England and Wales from 1918 to 2011

Overall, the percentage of households in owned accommodation increases over time wheareas households in rented accommodation faced the oppsite

in 1918, the differnce between owned and rented accommodation was the highest. However people owning households increased gradually over time. In 1971 the proprtion of people owing and renting was same. from 1918 to 1981 people owning houshold increased almost thrice.

On the other hand, rented accommodation had a declining trend as people owning more households. It decreased from approximately by halve over the period. Lowest was about 32 percent in 2001.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the chart’s subject and give the main overall contrast: ownership rose while renting declined. You also correctly note that the two figures were equal in 1971 and that renting reached its lowest point in 2001. However, the response only partially reports the data: it gives few specific figures, and “the difference … was the highest” in 1918 is not clearly supported as a comparison across the period. The claim that ownership “increased almost thrice” by 1981 is imprecise; it rose from 23% to 60%, while the chart continues to 2011 and ownership then falls slightly. The response is 101 words, below the 150-word minimum, which limits the detail and comparisons provided. Include key figures and cover the full period.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a basic, sensible sequence: an introduction, an overview, and then comments on ownership and renting. “Overall” and “On the other hand” help signal the main contrast, so the reader can follow the central message. However, the progression is limited because several observations are compressed into short, loosely connected statements, such as “In 1971 the proportion … was same” followed by the comparison with 1918–1981. The final sentence about the 2001 low point is not linked to the broader trend or contrasted with the 2011 figure. Use clearer paragraphing and connect each data point to the trend it illustrates; avoid relying on only a few basic linking expressions.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some relevant chart vocabulary, including “percentage,” “proportion,” “gradually,” and “declining trend,” which communicates the general subject. However, the range is limited and several noticeable spelling and word-choice errors reduce accuracy: “comparision,” “wheareas,” “opp site,” “differnce,” and “proprtion.” Some phrases are also unnatural or unclear, such as “people owning households” and “decreased from approximately by halve.” Prefer precise terms such as “the share of households that owned their homes” and “fell by roughly half.” Check spelling carefully and use vocabulary that describes household percentages rather than people or the act of owning.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt a few different sentence patterns, including a contrast introduced by “On the other hand” and a time clause beginning “from 1918 to 1981.” Most sentences are understandable, but the range is narrow and errors occur frequently. For example, “the proportion … was same” needs an article (“was the same”), while “Lowest was about 32 percent” lacks a clear grammatical subject. The sentence “It decreased from approximately by halve over the period” has an incorrect construction, and sentence openings such as “in 1971” need capitalisation. Build accurate sentences around a clear subject and verb, and practise articles, past-tense reporting, and punctuation before attempting longer comparisons.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.