Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · 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 7.5)

The bar chart illustrates the number of households in the US, measured in millions, across five different annual income groups in 2007, 2011 and 2015.

Overall, households earning $100,000 or more experienced the most noticeable increase and became the largest group by 2015. In contrast, the number of households earning $50,000–$74,999 remained almost unchanged throughout the period.

In 2007, around 25 million households earned less than $25,000, while approximately 27 million were in the $25,000–$49,999 category. The figures for $50,000–$74,999 and $75,000–$99,999 were about 21 million and 14 million, respectively. Meanwhile, households earning $100,000 or more stood at roughly 29 million, making this the largest group.

By 2011, the number of households earning less than $25,000 had risen to about 29 million, while the $25,000–$49,999 group reached 30 million. In 2015, these figures fell slightly to around 28 and 29 million. However, the highest-income group increased significantly to approximately 33 million, whereas the remaining categories changed only marginally.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response successfully covers all parts of the task by selecting, reporting, and comparing the main features of the US household income data across the years 2007, 2011, and 2015. The overview paragraph accurately highlights the most noticeable increase in households earning $100,000 or more and correctly identifies the stable trend in the $50,000–$74,999 bracket. Key data points are precisely cited, such as the figures for 2007 and the subsequent shifts in 2011 and 2015. The information is well-selected, and comparisons are made effectively between different income groups throughout the given timeframe. Therefore, this performance comfortably aligns with the requirements for Band 8.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

Ideas are logically sequenced and progress clearly from an introductory summary to detailed body paragraphs. Each paragraph has a clear focus, with the second body paragraph detailing 2007 figures and the final paragraph addressing 2011 and 2015 changes. Cohesive devices are managed well without feeling mechanical, using phrases such as 'In contrast', 'Meanwhile', 'By 2011', and 'However' to guide the reader smoothly through the comparative data. Paragraphing is used appropriately and sufficiently to structure the response. Overall, cohesion is handled skilfully and unobtrusively, justifying a Band 8 score.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The writer demonstrates a wide and flexible vocabulary range suited to an academic report. Terms like 'illustrates', 'noticeable increase', 'remained almost unchanged', and 'marginally' show precise word choice. There is successful use of less common lexical items and cohesive framing phrases such as 'highest-income group' and 'remaining categories'. Spelling and word formation are entirely accurate throughout. While the range is impressive and natural, it sits comfortably within the Band 7 to 8 bracket, showing good control with occasional standard report-writing phrasing rather than extensive advanced stylistic flair.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The response features a wide range of complex sentence structures used accurately and flexibly. Examples include participial phrasing and subordinate clauses like 'while approximately 27 million were in the $25,000–$49,999 category' and 'whereas the remaining categories changed only marginally'. The majority of sentences are completely error-free, and punctuation is handled with precision. Minor slips are virtually non-existent, and grammatical control is consistently strong throughout the entirety of the text, meeting the high standards required for a Band 8 rating.

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