Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · 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 8.0)

The bar chart illustrates the number of US households (in millions) classified by annual income categories for the years 2007, 2011, and 2015.

Overall, there is a clear trend towards a larger number of households earning higher incomes over time. In 2007, households earning less than $25,000 accounted for the largest group, slightly above 25 million. However, this number gradually decreased in 2011 and 2015, dropping below 25 million in the latter year. Meanwhile, households with an income between $50,000 and $74,999, as well as those earning $75,000 to $99,999, remained fairly stable across the three years, hovering around 20 to 25 million households.

Notably, the most significant change was in households earning $100,000 or more. This category grew significantly over the years, with the number of households rising from around 20 million in 2007 to nearly 30 million by 2015. Conversely, the middle-income categories, such as those earning $25,000 to $49,999, showed a slight decline in numbers.

In conclusion, the data indicates that while lower-income households decreased over time, the number of high-income households rose sharply, suggesting an increasing wealth divide or income polarization in the US during this period.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response effectively addresses the task by identifying the main trends and providing relevant comparisons. You successfully highlighted the shift in the lowest income bracket and the significant growth in the highest income category. The overview is clear and sets the tone for the report. To reach a higher band, ensure that all data points mentioned are accurate; for instance, you noted the $100,000+ category rose to 'nearly 30 million,' which is a precise observation. The inclusion of a concluding summary is helpful, though ensure that your analysis remains objective and does not stray into personal interpretation of 'wealth divide' unless it is clearly supported by the data provided.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The response is well-structured with a logical progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a clear focus: the introduction, the overview, the specific trends, and the summary. Cohesive devices such as 'Meanwhile,' 'Notably,' and 'Conversely' are used effectively to link ideas and contrast different income groups. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the flow of information is smooth throughout the text. There is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive usage, and the referencing is clear, making the report easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary suitable for an academic report. Phrases like 'classified by,' 'remained fairly stable,' and 'income polarization' show a good command of topic-specific language. The vocabulary is precise and used naturally. While the range is sufficient, incorporating a few more sophisticated synonyms for 'showed' or 'increased' would further enhance the lexical variety. Overall, the vocabulary is accurate and contributes to the professional tone of the response.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The writing displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You have used subordinate clauses effectively, such as 'while lower-income households decreased over time,' which adds variety to your writing. The grammar is generally accurate, with no significant errors that impede communication. Punctuation is used correctly throughout. To achieve a higher score, you could experiment with more varied sentence beginnings or more complex grammatical structures, such as passive voice constructions, to describe the data trends more dynamically.

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