Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-07
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 5.5)
The bar graph illustrates the number of households by their annual income in the United States in 2007, 2011, and 2015.
Overall, the chart represents significant ups and downs in the number of households via their yearly income. There are a total of five different salary ranges given, each of which showing dramatic change in the figures of households over the years.
In 2007, the number of households having less than $25,000 salaries were the highest (30 million) whereas families with $75,000-$99,999 were the lowest (14 million). However, in 2011 households with $25,000-$49,999 income were greater (30 million) than the ones with less than $25,000.
Furthermore, the total count of homes having less than $25,000 rose significantly in 2011 to 33 million. Additionally, the count of dwellings receiving $50,000-$74,999 remained constant throughout the years (21 million). Families getting $75,000-$99,999 increased in 2015 (15 million).
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which negatively impacts the score. While you have identified some main features, the analysis is incomplete. You have not provided a comprehensive overview of the trends across all categories, and some data points are described in a way that is difficult to follow. For instance, the comparison between 2007 and 2011 is somewhat confusingly phrased. To improve, ensure you cover all categories shown in the chart and provide a clear, analytical summary of the overall trends rather than just listing individual data points. The under-length nature of the response prevents a full development of the task.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into paragraphs, which is a positive step. However, the logical progression is hindered by the lack of sufficient detail and some awkward transitions. The use of cohesive devices like 'Furthermore' and 'Additionally' is present but feels somewhat mechanical. The referencing is occasionally unclear, particularly when comparing the different years. To achieve a higher band, focus on using a wider variety of linking words to connect ideas more fluidly and ensure that each paragraph has a clear topic sentence that guides the reader through the data analysis.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
Your vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, but it lacks the precision and variety required for higher bands. You rely on basic descriptors like 'significant ups and downs' and 'dramatic change'. Using more specific academic vocabulary would enhance the quality of your writing. For example, instead of 'total count of homes', you could use 'number of households' or 'proportion of families'. There is some repetition of terms like 'households' and 'income'. Expanding your range of synonyms and collocations related to data description will help you demonstrate a more sophisticated lexical control.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
You demonstrate a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical inaccuracies. For example, 'each of which showing' should be 'each of which shows', and 'less than $25,000 salaries' is slightly unnatural; 'households with an income of less than $25,000' would be more accurate. There are also minor issues with subject-verb agreement and preposition usage. To improve, focus on proofreading for these small errors and try to incorporate a wider range of complex sentence forms, such as relative clauses or passive voice, to describe the data more effectively.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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