Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-08-28

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 compares the number of households through their yearly income in US in 2007, 2011 and 2015.

Overall, the number of households earning $100,000 or more increased over the period, whereas the figure for middle-income groups generally declined. In contrast, the number of households earning $50,000-$74,999 remained relatively stable during the period.

An analysis of the chart reveals that the number of households earning less than $25,000 increased slightly from 25 million in 2007 to around 29 million in 2011, before falling to nearly 27 million in 2015. Similarly, households earning $25,000-$49,999 category rose from approximately 27 million to 29 million between 2007 and 2011, but then declined considerably to around 25 million in 2015.

From the chart, it is evident that the number of households earning $50,000-$74,999 climbed from 21 million in 2007, to 22 million in 2011 and remained relatively stable in 2015. In contast,, the category of households earning $75,000-$99,999 decreased from approximately 14 million in 2007 to 13 million in 2011, and it reached 15 million in 2015. Furthermore, the largest earning category $100,000 or more recorded 29 million households, before dipping to approximately 26 million households, and in 2015, the figure reached to nearly 33 million households.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

You have successfully identified the main features and trends across the three years provided. The overview clearly highlights the contrasting trends between the highest income group and the middle-income groups. You have also made relevant comparisons and supported your points with data from the chart. However, there is a slight inaccuracy in your overview: you mention that the $50,000-$74,999 group remained 'relatively stable,' but the data shows a slight increase from 21 to 22 million, which is acceptable, though you should ensure your summary statements align perfectly with the data points provided. Overall, the response covers all parts of the task well.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, overview, and body paragraphs that group information effectively. You use cohesive devices such as 'In contrast,' 'Similarly,' and 'Furthermore' to guide the reader through the data. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate different income categories. While the flow is generally smooth, there is a minor punctuation error ('In contast,,') which slightly disrupts the professional tone. Overall, the progression of ideas is clear and easy to follow throughout the report.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe trends, such as 'increased,' 'declined,' 'remained relatively stable,' and 'dipping.' You use these terms accurately to convey the movement of the data. To reach a higher band, try to incorporate more sophisticated collocations or varied synonyms for 'number of households' (e.g., 'the figure for,' 'the proportion of,' 'the count of'). There are no significant spelling errors, aside from the typo in 'contast,' and the vocabulary is appropriate for an academic report.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures effectively. Most sentences are clear and error-free, which allows for easy reading. There are a few minor grammatical slips, such as 'the figure reached to nearly 33 million' (the verb 'reach' does not require the preposition 'to') and the aforementioned punctuation error. Despite these minor issues, your control over grammar is strong, and the errors do not impede communication. You have demonstrated a good ability to handle data-driven descriptions with consistent accuracy.

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