Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-08-16
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)
The presented chart describes the ratio of households in US in mentioned time period 2007, 2011 and 2015 according to their twelve month income.
Overall, it can be seen that number of households in US was higher in 2015 that was 34 millions rather than other mentioned years with minor fluctuations.
To begin with, in 2015 number of US households according to their annul income was 100,000 dollars or more that considered the highest numbers among all others. In contrast number of households in 2011 followed more changes that was less than 25,000 dollars by annual income followed 25,000 to 49,999 dollars which drop gradually to 50,000 to 74,999 dollars followed drastic change 75,000 to 99,999 dollars which again higher their number to 100,000 0r more dollars.
To further analyze the graph, it can be observed that in all mentioned years the number of households according to their annual income was higher for 100,000 or more dollars. While 75,000 to 99,999 dollars were the lowest number for three mentioned years.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response covers the main features of the chart, but the analysis is somewhat superficial and contains inaccuracies. For instance, you state that the number of households was higher in 2015 at 34 million, which is not clearly supported by the data provided. Furthermore, the description of trends is confusing; you mention 'drastic changes' and 'fluctuations' without clearly linking them to the specific income brackets or the years provided. To improve, ensure you accurately interpret the data points and provide a clearer comparison between the years. The overview is present but lacks the necessary precision to fully capture the key trends across the three time periods.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into paragraphs, but the logical progression of ideas is often hindered by awkward phrasing and unclear referencing. While you use some cohesive devices like 'To begin with' and 'In contrast', the internal structure of your sentences is frequently disjointed. For example, the sentence starting with 'In contrast number of households in 2011 followed more changes...' is difficult to follow because the relationship between the income brackets and the changes is not clearly articulated. Improving the use of linking words and ensuring that each sentence flows logically from the previous one will significantly enhance the coherence of your writing.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is somewhat limited and repetitive. You frequently use basic phrases such as 'number of households' and 'mentioned years'. There are also issues with word choice and collocation, such as 'annul income' (should be 'annual') and 'higher their number' (which is grammatically and lexically awkward). To reach a higher band, you should aim to use a wider range of vocabulary to describe trends, such as 'fluctuated', 'remained stable', 'peaked', or 'experienced a downward trend'. Additionally, ensure you use precise terminology when referring to data, such as 'income brackets' instead of just 'income'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. There are issues with article usage ('in US' instead of 'in the US'), subject-verb agreement, and sentence structure. Many sentences are fragmented or run-on, such as '...followed 25,000 to 49,999 dollars which drop gradually to 50,000 to 74,999 dollars followed drastic change...'. These errors make the text difficult to read. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence construction, including correct subject-verb-object order, and pay closer attention to punctuation and the use of prepositions. Attempting more complex structures before mastering these basics often leads to further errors.
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.