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)
In 2007 we saw that there was a less percent of households which had annual income of 100,000$ or more than this amount and than there were less households which had annual income less than 25,000$ to 49,999$ and than further more the graph showed that there were more households than this which had annual income less than 25,000$ and at the second last there were households which had income between 50,000$
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response is significantly under the 150-word minimum requirement, which severely limits the ability to address the task fully. The content is fragmented and fails to provide a clear summary or report the main features of the chart. There is no overview or logical grouping of the data provided. Because the response is less than half the required length and lacks a coherent structure, it fails to meet the basic requirements of an Academic Task 1 report. To improve, you must ensure you cover all categories and years, provide a clear overview, and meet the word count.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response lacks paragraphing and logical progression. The sentences are connected in a repetitive and mechanical way, using 'and than' repeatedly, which makes the text difficult to follow. There is no clear structure to the information, and the lack of cohesive devices makes the relationship between the data points unclear. To improve, you should organize your report into clear paragraphs: an introduction, an overview of the main trends, and specific details. Use a variety of linking words such as 'whereas', 'in contrast', or 'meanwhile' to connect your ideas more effectively.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is very limited and repetitive. The phrasing is awkward, such as 'less percent of households' and 'at the second last'. The use of '$' after the number is also non-standard in formal writing (it should be placed before). The range of vocabulary is insufficient to describe trends or data comparisons accurately. To improve, focus on learning specific vocabulary for describing charts, such as 'fluctuated', 'remained stable', 'a significant proportion', or 'a downward trend'. Avoid repeating the same basic structures and words throughout your response.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The grammar is highly problematic, with frequent errors that impede communication. The sentence structures are repetitive and often run-on, lacking proper punctuation. Examples include 'there was a less percent of households which had' and 'than there were less households'. These errors are frequent and systematic, making the text difficult to read. To improve, focus on basic sentence construction, subject-verb agreement, and the correct use of comparative structures. Practice writing clear, simple sentences before attempting more complex grammatical structures.
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