Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-11-02

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 5.0)

The bar chart provides data on households percentage in owned and rented accomodation during 1918 and 2011 in England and Wales.

Overall highest percentage of households rented houses recorded in 1918 and owned accomodation households was lowest during that time. Whereas in 2001 owned accomodation households was highest and rented accomodation was lowest.

In 1918, 78% households stayed in rented houses, then it declined and remained stable for consecutive two years which was around 68%. After that it dropped and during 1971 owned and rented both households

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.0

You identify the chart’s subject and report some accurate key features: renting was highest in 1918, ownership was lowest then, and the two figures were equal in 1971. The reported rented-household figures of 78% and about 68% are also close to the chart. However, the response stops before explaining the later trends, including ownership’s rise to a peak in 2001 and its fall by 2011, so the summary is only minimally developed. The phrase “stable for consecutive two years” also misrepresents the interval: the figures are unchanged at 1939 and 1953, which are not consecutive years. The response is 87 words, below the required 150. To improve, complete the comparison across the full period and include a concise overview supported by the main figures.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has a basic structure: an introduction, an overview beginning “Overall,” and a paragraph with details. This gives the reader some sense of how the information is organised, and “Whereas” and “After that” attempt to connect comparisons and changes over time. However, the progression is incomplete because the final sentence breaks off at “both households,” leaving the account unfinished and the later years unreported. The link “Whereas” is also awkwardly attached to the overview rather than forming a clear contrast. Develop the body in chronological order, use a separate sentence for the 1971 crossover, and then describe the subsequent rise and final reversal. Clear paragraphing and complete sentences would make the progression easier to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant chart vocabulary, including “percentage,” “declined,” “remained stable,” and “recorded,” and the reader can generally understand the topic and direction of change. However, the range is limited, with repeated use of “households” and “accomodation,” and some combinations are unnatural, such as “households percentage” and “households stayed in rented houses.” The spelling of “accommodation” is incorrect twice. More precise terms would help distinguish the share of households from the households themselves, for example “the proportion of households” and “owner-occupied homes.” You could also vary trend language with expressions such as “rose steadily,” “reached a peak,” and “fell slightly,” while ensuring each phrase accurately describes the chart.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response attempts both simple and more complex sentence forms, such as “In 1918 …, then it declined” and the contrast introduced by “Whereas.” However, control is uneven, and several sentences contain agreement or sentence-structure problems. For example, “Overall highest percentage … recorded” lacks an article and a clear verb construction; “owned accomodation households was highest” has subject–verb disagreement; and “both households” does not complete the sentence. The opening phrase “during 1918 and 2011” also uses an unsuitable time construction for a period. Aim for complete clauses with clear subjects and verbs, such as “The proportion of rented households was highest in 1918.” Check singular/plural agreement and use past-tense forms consistently when describing the historical data.

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