Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-02
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 bar chart illustrates the number of households In the US ,measured in millions according to their annual income in 2007, 2011 and 2015.
Overall, the figure captured that the largest household number were earning more than $100,000 annually in 2007. Despite the fall in 2011 it returned to be largest again in 2015. In contract, incomes between $75,000 and $99,999 were considered the lowest during the period.
In 2007, approximately 29 million households earned $100,000 or more which were the highest ,although it fall slightly to approximately 28 million households before it rose sharply to approximately 33 million households in 2015. Moreover, 27 million households classified the second by earning between $25,000 and $49,999 annually, therefore, it rose significantly to approximately 29 million households in 2011 before it fall slightly to 28 million in 2015. The lcategory
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which significantly impacts the task achievement score. While you have identified some main features, the report is incomplete and ends abruptly mid-sentence ('The lcategory'). Because the response is unfinished, you have not fully addressed all parts of the task or provided a complete overview of the data. To improve, ensure you cover all categories presented in the chart and provide a concluding summary that synthesizes the trends observed across the three years. The current analysis is too brief to reach a higher band.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The essay shows some logical organization, with an introduction and an overview paragraph. However, the abrupt ending severely disrupts the coherence of the text. You use some cohesive devices like 'Overall', 'Despite', and 'In contract' (a typo for 'contrast'), but the flow is hindered by the incomplete nature of the final paragraph. To improve, ensure that each paragraph is fully developed and that you use a wider range of linking words to connect your ideas more fluidly. Paragraphing should be used to separate the overview from the specific data points.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, but it is somewhat repetitive and lacks precision. You use phrases like 'the figure captured' and 'classified the second', which are slightly unnatural in this context. There are also errors in word choice and spelling, such as 'In contract' instead of 'In contrast' and 'lcategory'. To reach a higher band, focus on using more precise reporting verbs and nouns related to data trends, such as 'fluctuated', 'remained stable', or 'accounted for'.
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. Examples include 'the largest household number were earning' (subject-verb agreement), 'although it fall slightly' (tense error), and 'it rose significantly... before it fall' (tense inconsistency). Punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly with spacing around commas. To improve, focus on maintaining consistent verb tenses when describing past data and proofread for basic subject-verb agreement errors.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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