Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)
The bar graph represent comparisons for number of households in US for the years 2007, 2011, and 2015 by the gross salary where all the values are mentioned in millions.
Overall, all the households have not undergone a drastic change over years but had minimal fluctuations. Moreover those having income between $50,000 to $74,999 were in steady state in all these three years.
In 2007, number of households having expenditure more than $100,000 were the highest with the value of 29 millions which was followed by those having less than $25,000. The lowest was between $75,000 to $99,999 with only 14 million households whereas others are bit steady in years 2007 and 2011.
In 2015, again those with more than $100,000 are at the peak having 33 million households and followed by $25,000 to $49,999 millions. Interestingly the value of households between $50,000 to $74,999 remained steady all the time.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response covers the main features of the chart, but there are significant inaccuracies in the data reporting. For instance, you state the number of households earning over $100,000 in 2007 was 29 million, whereas the chart shows approximately 29 million for 2015, not 2007. Additionally, you mention 'expenditure' instead of 'income', which is a misinterpretation of the task. While you identify the peak and some trends, the failure to accurately transcribe the data points and the confusion between income and expenditure prevent a higher score. To improve, ensure you carefully cross-reference the labels and values on the axes before writing.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into logical paragraphs, with an introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs. However, the progression of ideas is sometimes hindered by imprecise language. Cohesive devices such as 'Moreover', 'In 2007', and 'Interestingly' are used to link sentences, but the connection between the overview and the body paragraphs is slightly mechanical. The referencing is generally clear, but the lack of precision in describing the data makes the overall flow feel somewhat disjointed. Improving the variety of linking phrases and ensuring that the transition between the overview and the detailed analysis is smoother would enhance the coherence.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'fluctuations', 'steady state', 'peak', and 'comparisons'. However, there are some word choice errors, such as using 'gross salary' instead of 'annual income' and 'expenditure' instead of 'income'. Additionally, the phrase 'others are bit steady' is informal and imprecise. To reach a higher band, focus on using more precise academic collocations and avoid informal phrasing. Expanding your vocabulary to include more varied ways to describe trends, such as 'remained constant' or 'experienced a marginal increase', would also be beneficial.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as 'The bar graph represent' (subject-verb agreement), 'over years' (missing article), and 'followed by $25,000 to $49,999 millions' (incorrect unit usage). While these errors do not completely impede communication, they occur frequently enough to affect the overall clarity. To improve, pay closer attention to subject-verb agreement, the correct use of articles, and pluralisation. Practising the construction of complex sentences with accurate punctuation will also help you demonstrate better control over your grammar.
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