Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · 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 7.0)

The bar chart illustrates the number of households in the United States, measured in millions, across five distinct annual income brackets for the years 2007, 2011, and 2015.

Overall, it is clear that the highest income bracket ($100,000 or more) and the lowest income bracket (less than $25,000) remained the two largest categories throughout the entire period. In contrast, the mid-high income group ($75,000–$99,999) consistently recorded the lowest number of households.

In 2007, the number of households earning $100,000 or more stood prominently at just under 30 million. Although this figure experienced a slight decline to approximately 27 million in 2011, it recovered dramatically by 2015, peaking at over 33 million, making it the most prominent category at the end of the timeline. Similarly, the lowest income bracket (less than $25,000) showed substantial numbers; it started at 25 million in 2007, rose to roughly 29 million in 2011, and ended marginally lower at 28 million in 2015.

Looking at the middle-income distributions, the $25,000–$49,999 bracket demonstrated relative stability, hovering steadily between 26 and 27 million over the three specific years. Conversely, the $50,000–$74,999 bracket saw a gradual downward trend, declining from 21 million in 2007 to roughly 19 million by 2015. The least populated category was the $75,000–$99,999 bracket, which fluctuated slightly around the 14-15 million mark, hitting its lowest point of nearly 13 million in 2011.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response is excellent. You have successfully identified the main features, such as the dominance of the highest and lowest income brackets and the relative stability of the middle-income groups. You have also made relevant comparisons across the three years provided. The overview is clear and effectively summarizes the key trends. All parts of the task are addressed, and the data is used accurately to support the descriptions. The inclusion of specific figures adds precision to your analysis, meeting the requirements for a high-band response.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a distinct focus: the introduction, the overview, and the detailed breakdown of the income brackets. You have used a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'In contrast', 'Similarly', 'Looking at', and 'Conversely', which help the reader follow the comparison between different groups. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the general trends from the specific data points, ensuring the text is easy to navigate and coherent throughout.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a wide and flexible range of vocabulary, which is used with precision. Phrases such as 'distinct annual income brackets', 'recorded the lowest number', 'peaking at', and 'demonstrated relative stability' show a sophisticated command of language. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or collocation, and the vocabulary is well-suited to the academic nature of the task. The use of varied terminology to describe trends—such as 'decline', 'recovered', 'rose', and 'fluctuated'—is particularly effective.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The response displays a wide range of grammatical structures with high accuracy. You have successfully used complex sentences, such as 'Although this figure experienced a slight decline... it recovered dramatically', and 'The least populated category was the... bracket, which fluctuated slightly'. Punctuation is used correctly to manage these complex structures. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the control over tense and subject-verb agreement is consistent throughout the report. There are no grammatical slips that impede communication.

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