Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-09

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 illustrates the number of households in the US based on their annual income for three different years 2007, 2011, and 2015.

Overall, it is crystal clear that while the numbers of middle-class and upper-middle-class individuals remained almost steady throughout the given years, the numbers of lower-class, lower-middle-class, and upper-class individuals fluctuated in various ways.

At a fleeting glance, It can be observed that the number of people earning between 50 and 75 thousand dollars stayed roughly the same across all three years, with their figures slightly exceeding 20 million. Similarly, the number of individuals in the upper-middle class, earning between 75 and 100 thousand dollars, did not change significantly over time, although their figures were slightly less stable than those of the middle class.

Moving further, the number of lower-class individuals rose from just over 25 million to just under 30 million between 2007 and 2011, then slightly decreased to around 27 million in 2015. A similar pattern was observed for the lower-middle class, with an increase between 2007 and 2011 followed by a decrease to 2015, fluctuating near 27 million households. However, the number of individuals with incomes exceeding 100 thousand dollars decreased from 2007 to 2011 but then increased to over 30 million after 2011.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response effectively summarizes the main features of the chart. You have identified key trends, such as the stability of middle-income groups and the fluctuations in others. The overview is clear and provides a good summary of the data. However, to reach a higher band, ensure that all data points are described with precision. For instance, you mention the upper-class income group decreased from 2007 to 2011, but the chart shows a slight increase in that specific category. Accuracy in data reporting is essential for Task Achievement. Overall, you have covered the requirements well by selecting relevant features and making comparisons.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, overview, and body paragraphs. You use cohesive devices such as 'Similarly', 'Moving further', and 'However' to guide the reader through the data. The progression of ideas is smooth, and each paragraph has a clear central topic. The use of paragraphing is appropriate for an Academic Task 1 response. To improve, ensure that the transition between sentences is always natural; some of your linking phrases are slightly mechanical, but they do not impede the flow of information. The structure is sound and supports the overall argument effectively.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey information with precision. Phrases like 'remained almost steady', 'fluctuated in various ways', and 'exceeding 100 thousand dollars' are used correctly. There is an attempt to use less common vocabulary, such as 'fleeting glance' and 'exceeding', which adds to the academic tone. While the vocabulary is generally accurate, it is somewhat repetitive in its structure. To achieve a higher score, try to incorporate more varied synonyms for 'increase' and 'decrease' (e.g., 'surged', 'dipped', 'plummeted') to show greater flexibility and control over lexical choices.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures effectively. Most sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation is good. You successfully use complex structures like 'while the numbers... remained... the numbers... fluctuated'. There are very few grammatical errors, and those that exist do not hinder communication. To improve, you could experiment with more varied sentence beginnings and perhaps more sophisticated subordinate clauses to demonstrate a wider range of grammatical control. Overall, your grammar is strong and supports clear communication throughout the task.

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