Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-08-04

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 5.0)

In this passage I will be summarizing the information that has been given below on a bar chart, which shows the number of households in the US by their annual income from 2007 to 2015. In 2007 the number of households with the annul income of less then 25000 dollars to 50000 dollars were almost the same around 25 million to 27 million which is similar to the amount in 2015 though in 2015 the amount was a little more then in 2007 which was 27 to 29 million though in both cases the ones earning 25000 to 49000 was higher, however 4 years before in 2011 this was on its peak at around 29 to 30 million, this means from 2007 to 2015 the numbers peaked in 2011 but dropped again in 2015 but overall this number was higher then the one in 2007. The bar chart shows that the households that earn from 50000 to 74999 and 75000 to 99999 dollars were the lowest on the chart, however the people who earned [redacted phone] or more then that in 2007 was the highest of the 4 others but dropped lower to then the first 2 categories which could mean an economical crisis in 2011 however this peaked in 2015 to around 32 million which means the overall boost in economy in comparison to the previous years. In conclusion I think that in 2007 the economy was balanced where as it fell in 2011 due to which there was a sudden rise in the people earning lower then 50000 and 25000 where as in 2015 there was a sudden boost in economy due to which group of people earning more then [redacted phone] dollars increased to its peak.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response covers the main features of the chart, but the presentation is somewhat disorganized. While you identify key trends, the lack of clear paragraphing makes it difficult to follow the comparison between income groups. You attempt to provide an overview, but it is embedded in the conclusion rather than being clearly stated at the beginning. The analysis of the data is generally accurate, but the interpretation regarding an 'economical crisis' is speculative and goes beyond the data provided in the chart. To improve, ensure you group data logically—perhaps by income category or by year—and maintain a more objective, analytical tone throughout the report.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The essay lacks a clear structure. It is presented as one long paragraph, which makes it difficult for the reader to navigate the information. Cohesive devices are used, but they are often repetitive (e.g., 'however' and 'though' are used frequently and sometimes incorrectly). The progression of ideas is not always logical; for instance, jumping between years and income categories without clear transitions creates confusion. To improve, use distinct paragraphs for the introduction, overview, and body details. Ensure that each paragraph has a clear focus and that you use a wider variety of linking words to connect your ideas more smoothly.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

Your vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, but it lacks the precision required for a higher band. You rely on simple descriptors like 'higher', 'lower', and 'boost'. There are also some spelling errors, such as 'annul' instead of 'annual' and 'then' instead of 'than'. To improve, try to incorporate more sophisticated vocabulary related to data analysis, such as 'fluctuated', 'remained stable', 'surpassed', or 'a significant proportion'. Avoid informal phrasing like 'I think that' in an Academic Task 1 response, as the tone should remain formal and objective throughout.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. For example, 'the number of households... were' should be 'was' to agree with the singular subject 'number'. There are also issues with punctuation and run-on sentences, particularly in the conclusion. You often use 'though' as a conjunction where a full stop or a semicolon would be more appropriate. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement and sentence boundary punctuation. Practice breaking up long, convoluted sentences into shorter, clearer ones to ensure your meaning is conveyed accurately.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.