Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-08-03

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 6.5)

The bar chart compares the number of US households categorized into five annual income brackets across three selected years: 2007, 2011, and 2015.

Overall, households earning $100,000 or more consistently comprised the largest demographic throughout the period, whereas the $75,000–$99,999 income group remained the smallest. Additionally, while the numbers of households in both the highest and lowest income categories rose overall by 2015, the middle-income brackets showed minimal fluctuation.

In 2007, approximately 29.5 million households earned $100,000 or more, making it the highest category. This was closely followed by the $25,000–$49,999 group (around 27 million) and the lowest income group earning less than $25,000 (roughly 25 million). Meanwhile, about 21 million households fell into the $50,000–$74,999 range, while only around 14.5 million earned between $75,000 and $99,999.

By 2011, the number of households earning less than $25,000 increased to nearly 29 million, matching the peak of the $100,000+ category, which slightly dipped to around 28 million. Similarly, the $25,000–$49,999 category rose to almost 30 million. However, by 2015, the highest income bracket ($100,000 or more) experienced a significant surge, reaching a peak of roughly 33 million households. In contrast, the remaining four income brackets either leveled off or decreased slightly, maintaining figures between 15 million and 28 million.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response effectively addresses the task requirements by identifying the main features and providing relevant comparisons. You have successfully highlighted the trends for the highest and lowest income brackets and noted the stability of the middle-income groups. The overview is clear and provides a good summary of the data. You have selected key data points to support your descriptions, such as the figures for 2007 and the peak in 2015. The information is accurate and well-organized, covering all parts of the prompt without any significant omissions. The comparison between the years is logical and helps the reader understand the shifts in household income distribution over the eight-year period.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a distinct focus: the introduction, the overview, and the detailed body paragraphs. You have used cohesive devices effectively, such as 'Meanwhile', 'By 2011', and 'In contrast', to link sentences and ideas smoothly. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the information flows well from one point to the next. There is a clear sense of structure, and the referencing is precise, making the text easy to follow. The use of cohesive devices is natural and does not feel mechanical, contributing to a coherent response.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You have demonstrated a good range of vocabulary appropriate for an Academic Task 1 response. Phrases like 'categorized into', 'consistently comprised', 'minimal fluctuation', and 'significant surge' show a level of sophistication and precision. The vocabulary is used accurately to describe trends and data points. While the range is sufficient and flexible, there is room to incorporate even more varied synonyms for 'increase' or 'decrease' to further enhance the lexical variety. Overall, the vocabulary is precise and contributes to a professional tone, with no errors that impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The response displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as the use of subordinate clauses ('while the numbers... rose', 'which slightly dipped'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over grammar and punctuation is strong. You have used a mix of simple and complex forms effectively to convey information clearly. There are no significant grammatical errors that distract the reader or cause confusion. The accuracy is high, and the sentence construction is varied enough to maintain the reader's interest throughout the report.

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