Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-08-29

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 the US families by their annual income in 2007, 2011, and 2015.

Overall, despite some fluctuations, the number of lower-income families remained relatively stable, whereas the number of higher-income families increased substantially over the three years.

In 2007, 25 million households earned less than $25,000, while more than 25 million families earned an annual income ranging from $25,000 to $49,999. Approximately 20 million households in the US earned an income of $50,000-$74,999 in 2007. Furthermore, around 15 million families received an income of $75,000 to $99,999. The number of households who earned an income of more than $100,000 were around 30 million.

The figures for families who earned an average annual income of either less than $25,000 or $25,000-$49,999 fluctuated between 25 and 30 million households in 2011 and 2015. By contrast, the income bracket of the middle-income families remained identical in 2011 and 2015, at around 20 million. Around 14 milllion households had annual earnings of $75,000-$99,999 in 2011, and this figure witnessed a slight increase to 15 million in 2015. Additionally, the number of families who earned more than $100,000 was just over 25 million, and this number surged to around 32 million in 2015.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response effectively addresses the task by identifying the main features and trends across the three years. You have successfully selected relevant data points to support your descriptions and made clear comparisons between income brackets. The overview is concise and highlights the key trend of stability in lower-income groups versus growth in higher-income groups. To reach a higher band, ensure that all data points are accurately transcribed; for instance, checking the specific figures for 2007 against the chart would ensure complete precision. Overall, the response is well-focused and meets the requirements of the prompt.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs that group information by time and income category. Cohesive devices such as 'despite', 'whereas', 'by contrast', and 'additionally' are used effectively to link ideas and guide the reader through the data. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the initial snapshot from the subsequent trends. The progression of ideas is smooth, and referencing is clear throughout the text. The structure is coherent and supports the overall purpose of the report.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey information with precision. Phrases like 'remained relatively stable', 'increased substantially', and 'witnessed a slight increase' are well-chosen and appropriate for an academic report. There is an attempt to use less common vocabulary, and the control is generally good. While there is a minor spelling error ('milllion'), it does not impede communication. To improve, try to incorporate more varied synonyms for 'number of' or 'earned' to avoid repetition and further enhance the sophistication of your lexical choices.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The response displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You have used subordinate clauses effectively, such as 'while more than 25 million families earned...' and 'the number of families who earned...'. Most sentences are error-free, and your control over tense usage is consistent with the requirements of describing past data. Punctuation is generally accurate, aiding the clarity of your writing. There are very few grammatical slips, and the overall accuracy is high, which allows for a comfortable reading experience.

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

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