Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-05
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 by their annual income in 2007, 2011 and 2015.
Overall , it is clear from chart the highest income group is 2007 and 2005 which is earning more than $100,000 and the lowest earning income in all other three years which can earn $75000 to $99999.
To begin with , 29 number of households earn $10000 or more in 2007 which is increased to 33 number of households in 2015. A minor diffrence can be seen in Less than $25000 annual income in 2007 and 2011.This figure for former was 25 households and the latter was 29 in given time period. The number of households income of $25000-$49000 which is 26 , 30 , 29 in 2007, 2011, 2015 Respectively.
Probing further , The number of households income of $50,000-$74999 is 21 number in 2015 is decreased from 22 in 2011. A major difference can be seen between household income is $50,000-$74,999 in 2007 and $75000-$99,999 in 2011 this figure for former was 21 and the latter was 14 in given time period .
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 attempts to summarize the data, but it fails to accurately report the main features. The overview is confusing, citing '2005' which is not in the data, and the description of the highest income group is factually incorrect based on the chart. Furthermore, the data points selected are often inaccurate or poorly presented (e.g., '29 number of households'). The response lacks a clear, logical selection of data to support a summary, and the misinterpretation of the figures significantly hinders the task achievement. To improve, focus on identifying the most significant trends and ensuring the data cited matches the chart precisely.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into paragraphs, but the logical flow is weak. While some linking phrases like 'To begin with' and 'Probing further' are used, they feel mechanical and do not effectively connect the ideas. The referencing is often unclear, particularly when comparing figures across years, making it difficult for the reader to follow the comparisons. The use of cohesive devices is limited and sometimes inaccurate, which disrupts the progression of the information. Improving the use of referencing (e.g., 'the former', 'the latter') and ensuring that each paragraph has a clear thematic focus would enhance coherence.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is quite limited and repetitive. There is a reliance on basic phrasing such as 'number of households' and 'can be seen'. The student struggles with accurate terminology for data reporting, often using awkward phrasing like '29 number of households' instead of '29 million households'. There are also issues with word choice and collocation, such as 'the lowest earning income' instead of 'the lowest income bracket'. To reach a higher band, you should incorporate more precise vocabulary related to trends and data, such as 'fluctuated', 'remained stable', or 'a significant proportion'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. There are issues with subject-verb agreement, such as 'the highest income group is 2007', and awkward sentence structures, such as 'The number of households income of $25000-$49000 which is 26...'. Punctuation is also inconsistent, with unnecessary spaces before commas and periods. While there is an attempt at complex sentences, they are often poorly constructed and contain errors. Focusing on basic sentence structure and ensuring correct verb forms and punctuation would significantly improve the accuracy of the writing.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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