Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-08-21
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 chart reveals the information about the number of households in America on the basis of their yearly income in the years 2007,2011,2015.
Examining the data of the year 2007, the highest category of group in earning $100,000 or more than that with approximately the value of 29 millions and the lowest annual income belongs to the group earning $75,000 to $99,999 with the assorted value of 14 millions; whereas the other groups are on the moderate phases.
Discussing the information of the year 2011, the highest category in earning $25,000 to $49,000 annually with the rate of 30 millions and lowest are having the yearly income of approx 13 millions;Moreover the group of less than $25,000 and $100,000 or more are having minor differences.
Further more the last year which is 2015 is having the group which is earning the maximum is $100,000 or more and the lowest one is $75,000 to $99,999.
Overall, the average of all the three years describes that the highest annual income is earned in the year 2015 and the year which is having the lowest earning is 2007.
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 lacks a clear, analytical approach. While you identify some data points, the reporting is inconsistent and occasionally inaccurate, such as the claim that the highest income group in 2007 was 29 million, which misinterprets the data. The overview is also problematic; stating that the 'average' income was highest in 2015 is a misinterpretation of the chart, which shows household numbers, not income levels. To improve, focus on accurately selecting key trends and making meaningful comparisons between categories and years rather than listing isolated figures. The summary needs to be more precise to meet higher band requirements.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is often mechanical or slightly awkward, such as 'Further more the last year which is 2015 is having the group'. The progression of ideas is somewhat disjointed because the comparisons between years are not clearly linked. Referencing is occasionally unclear, and the flow between sentences could be improved by using a wider variety of linking words and ensuring that the relationship between the data points is explicitly stated to guide the reader through the information.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but remains quite basic and repetitive. Phrases like 'the highest category of group' and 'assorted value' are unnatural and imprecise. There is a lack of variety in reporting verbs and descriptive language. To reach a higher band, you should aim to use more precise terminology for describing trends, such as 'fluctuated', 'remained stable', or 'experienced a significant increase'. Additionally, avoid using 'value' or 'rate' when referring to the number of households; 'figure' or 'number' would be more appropriate in this context.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains a mix of simple and some complex sentence structures, but there are frequent errors in grammar and punctuation that occasionally impede clarity. For example, 'the highest category of group in earning' is grammatically incorrect, and there are issues with article usage and verb tense consistency. The sentence structure is often clunky, such as 'the year which is having the lowest earning is 2007'. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of relative clauses. Reducing these frequent errors will significantly improve the readability and professional tone of your writing.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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