Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-14

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 5.0)

The bar graph depicts that the number of households in the US by their annual income across three years (2007,2011 and 2015) .

Overall, it is crystal clear that there is rose in number of households by annual income except lower income bracket remained same in three years .

At the fleeting glance, it is evident that in year 2007, there was minor difference in income with less than $25,000 and $25,000-$49,999 that was 25 millions and 28 millions respectively . $100,000 or more was at highest with 29 millions. Moderate income varies from 15 to 20 millions households. In the year 2011 , lower income and$25,000-$49,999 were similar that was around 29 millions. Moderate income and $75,000-$99,999 remained same as compared to 2007. Higher income was fell by 2 millions as compared to the past . In year 2015 , less than $25,000 and $25,000-$49,999 were similar that was 28 millions. $50,000-$74,999 and $75,000-$99,999 remained stable . 34 millions households had annual income more than $100,000.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response covers the main features of the chart across the three specified years, attempting to report data for various income brackets. However, the student's overview is somewhat vague and grammatically flawed, stating there was a 'rose in number of households by annual income except lower income bracket remained same'. Furthermore, some data points lack precision or are difficult to follow due to phrasing like 'Moderate income varies from 15 to 20 millions households.' While all parts of the task are addressed, the lack of clarity in data selection and grouping places this response squarely at band 5.0.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The essay is divided into three paragraphs: an introductory sentence, an overview, and a body paragraph. However, the progression is disrupted by mechanical and faulty cohesion, as well as an unusual paragraph structure where the body paragraph crams almost all the detailed data into a single, dense block of text without clear logical grouping. Transitional phrases are basic or misused, such as 'At the fleeting glance', and referencing is sometimes confusing, leading to a choppy and repetitive reading experience. This aligns with a band 5.0 score for Coherence and Cohesion.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The student uses a limited range of vocabulary, relying heavily on basic terms like 'number', 'income', 'millions', and 'households'. There are noticeable lexical inaccuracies and awkward phrasing, such as 'rose in number' instead of 'rise' and 'Moderate income varies from'. Spelling and word formation are generally adequate, but the lack of flexibility and occasional strain on the reader keep the lexical score at a band 5.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentences, but many attempts contain frequent grammatical errors. Examples include missing articles and prepositions ('there is rose in number', 'at highest', 'Higher income was fell'), incorrect verb forms, and awkward clause structures ('that was 25 millions and 28 millions respectively'). These persistent errors can cause difficulty for the reader and prevent the text from achieving a higher band score, making band 5.0 appropriate.

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

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