Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-12

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 US households based on their annual sallary in 2007, 2011, and 2015.

Overall, over the given period, Income below $25,000 to $49,999 and $100,000 experienced a fluctiation, while Income range between $50,000 and $99,999 saw no notable changes.

Looking at the details, US househoulds that had sallary below $25,000 started at about 25 millions in 2007. After displayed a minor increase to 28 millions in 2011, the trend showed a slight drop to approximately 27 millions in 2015. Household with $25,000 - $49,000 mirrored a similar pattern; having started at 26 millions in 2007, incerase a bit in 2011 and result to 27,5 millions by the end of the period.

Regarding households with $50,000-$74,999 and $75,000-$99,999 income, both only saw a slight alterations in the numbers, with $50,000-$74,999 gruop hovered between 21 adn 20,5 millions, whereas $75,000-$99,999 from 14 to 15 millions.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response attempts to cover the main features of the chart, providing a clear overview and mentioning several specific income brackets and years. However, there are some inaccuracies in reporting the data (e.g., describing 25 million as 'about 25 millions'). Crucially, the length requirement is NOT met, as the response falls short of the 150-word minimum at 149 words. This places the task achievement under the required threshold, resulting in a penalty. To improve, ensure you check your word count carefully to meet the minimum length and verify that all figures cited match the visual data accurately.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, beginning with an introduction and an overall trend summary, followed by body paragraphs detailing specific income categories. Cohesive devices such as 'Overall', 'Looking at the details', and 'Regarding' are used to structure the text, though referencing can sometimes be awkward or mechanical. Paragraphing is present and appropriate for an overview task. While the progression of ideas is generally clear, the mechanical transitions and minor errors in cohesion prevent the essay from reaching a higher band score.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, attempting some less common words and phrases like 'fluctuation', 'mirrored a similar pattern', and 'hovered'. However, there are numerous spelling and word-choice errors, such as 'sallary' instead of salary, 'househoulds' instead of households, 'incerase' instead of increased, and awkward phrasing like 'result to'. These lexical errors show a lack of control over word formation and spelling, capping the lexical score at band 5.5.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response displays a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, such as 'After displayed a minor increase to 28 millions in 2011, the trend showed a slight drop...' and 'Household with $25,000 - $49,000 mirrored a similar pattern...'. However, there are several grammatical errors and awkward structures, including verb tense and form issues ('After displayed', 'incerase a bit', 'result to'). Punctuation and grammatical control are inconsistent, though communication is not severely impeded. This profile corresponds to a solid band 6.0.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.