Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-07-29
IELTS Writing Task 1 question
The chart below shows the number of households in the US by their annual income in 2007, 2011 and 2015.
Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant.
Student answer (Band 5.5)
The bar chat illustrates the information of the number of the households in the US by their annual income in 3 different years in 2007, 2011 and 2015. The bar chart compares the annual income in 2007 to 2015. The focus is on relative size rather than change over time. Overall, in 2015 was the highest income of all the years. There was also a noticeable gap between top and bottom categories.
Specifically, In 2007, the number of US households A the annual income is less than $25,000 in 25% and the B households is more than $25000-$49,000 in 30% . In year 2011, the households C is greater than $50,000- $74,000 in relatively 23%. Furthermore in the households D is approximately 17% increasing in the annual income is $75,000-$99,999. Finally in 2015, there are slightly rose in $100,000 or more in 33% .
In conclusion, the highest annual income is 2015, and the moderate in 2011, and the lowest income in 2007 in number of the different US households.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response attempts to summarize the data, but it fails to accurately report the main features. The interpretation of the chart is flawed; for instance, the claim that 2015 had the 'highest income' is a misreading of the data, which shows the number of households in specific income brackets rather than average income. Furthermore, the data points cited are often unclear or confusingly presented (e.g., 'households C is greater than $50,000-$74,000 in relatively 23%'). The overview is vague and does not effectively highlight the key trends or comparisons required by the task. To improve, focus on identifying clear trends, such as the growth or decline in specific income brackets over the three years.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The essay is organized into an introduction, body, and conclusion, which provides a basic structure. However, the progression of ideas is often disjointed. The use of cohesive devices is limited and sometimes mechanical or misused, such as 'Specifically' and 'Furthermore' which do not always logically connect the sentences that follow. The referencing is also unclear, as the labels 'A', 'B', 'C', and 'D' are used without proper context or explanation, making the information difficult to follow. Improving the use of linking words and ensuring that each paragraph has a clear, unified focus would significantly enhance the flow of the response.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is quite limited and repetitive. There is a reliance on basic phrasing, and some word choices are inaccurate or awkward, such as 'the highest income of all the years' and 'there are slightly rose'. The student struggles to use precise terminology to describe statistical trends (e.g., 'in 25%' instead of 'at 25%'). To achieve a higher band score, you should aim to use a wider range of vocabulary to describe trends, such as 'fluctuated', 'remained stable', or 'accounted for', and ensure that terms are used in the correct grammatical context.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. There are issues with subject-verb agreement ('there are slightly rose'), incorrect preposition usage ('in 25%'), and awkward sentence construction ('the number of US households A the annual income is less than $25,000'). While there is an attempt to use complex structures, they are often faulty. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence patterns and ensuring correct verb tenses and prepositions. Proofreading for common errors like article usage and pluralization would also help to increase the accuracy of your writing.
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