Band 4.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.0 · 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 4.0)

The line graph illustrates percentage of house owners and rented accommodation in the England Wales 1918 to 2011.

overall, in 1918 had boost the ratio of households in rented accommodation, but on the other hand in 2011 had ratio decrease. Meanwhile, in 2001 had almost topped ratio households in owned accommodation, but also minimum in 1918.

To commence with, firstly

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 3.5

You identify the chart’s subject and mention relevant extremes: rented accommodation was highest in 1918, while ownership was lowest then and peaked around 2001. However, the response addresses the task only minimally: it gives no figures, does not describe the changes across the intervening years, and ends with “To commence with, firstly” without reporting any data. The overview is also unclear: renting did not simply decrease by 2011, since it rose from about 31% in 2001 to 36% in 2011. The response is 60 words, so it does not meet the 150-word minimum. To improve, provide a clear overview and compare the main trends with selected figures across the period.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 3.5

There is a basic attempt to organise the response: an opening sentence is followed by an overview introduced with “overall,” and “Meanwhile” signals a contrast. However, the ideas do not develop into a coherent summary. The overview’s comparisons are difficult to follow, and “To commence with, firstly” promises a first detail that never appears. The response has no completed body paragraph or clear progression through the years. Use a simple structure: introduction, overview, then one or two paragraphs comparing ownership and renting over time. Connect each comparison clearly, rather than relying on linking words without completing the point.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some task-related vocabulary, including “percentage,” “households,” “rented accommodation,” and “owned accommodation,” so the topic is recognisable. However, the range is limited, and several phrases are unnatural or imprecise, such as “had boost the ratio,” “almost topped ratio,” and “minimum in 1918.” These choices make the intended comparisons harder to understand. Aim for standard chart language such as “the proportion of households,” “rose,” “fell,” “reached a peak,” and “was at its lowest.” Also use “line graph” only if describing the chart type accurately; here, “bar chart” is more appropriate.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

The response attempts connected sentences and a contrast, but grammatical control is weak and the sentence patterns are very limited. For example, “in 1918 had boost the ratio” lacks a clear subject and uses an incorrect verb form, while “in 2011 had ratio decrease” has an incomplete structure. The opening also needs articles and a more accurate construction: “The chart illustrates the percentages of households…” In “in 2001 had almost topped ratio,” the subject and verb pattern are again missing or malformed. Practise complete subject–verb sentences in the past tense, and check articles, word order, and punctuation. A few accurate simple comparisons would be clearer than these incomplete clauses.

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