Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-17

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 6.0)

The given bar graph compares the number of households in the US by their annual income. The data pertains to the time period of year 2007, 2011, 2015. Overall, the highest number of households was approximately 33 million with an annual income of $100,000 or more in 2015, while the lowest number of households was near 14 million with an annual income of $75,000 to $99,999 .

On a cursory look, it becomes evident that the bar graph depicts certain number of households in each year which were increased. For instance, in year 2007, the highest number of households was near 29 million with an annual income of $100,000 or more, while in year 2011, the highest number of households was accounted at 30 million with an annual income of $25,000-$49,999. Similarly, in year 2015, the highest number of households was roughly, 33 million with an annual income around $100,000 or more.

In comparison, the graph shows few households which were lowest in each year; for example, if we look year 2007, the lowest number of households was nearly 14 million with an annual income of $75,000 to $99,999. Furthermore, in year 2011, the lowest number of household is roughly 13 million with an annual income of $75,000 to $99,999. Similarly, in year 2015, the lowest number of households was approximately 15 million with an annual income of $75,000 to $99,999.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The student covers all parts of the task well, providing an introductory overview and selecting key features from the chart across the specified years (2007, 2011, and 2015). The response outlines the highest and lowest income categories effectively, such as noting that households earning $100,000 or more peaked at approximately 33 million in 2015, and identifying the $75,000 to $99,999 bracket as consistently representing the lowest count. However, there is a minor error in stating the highest bracket in 2011 (the student claims $25,000-$49,999 was highest at 30 million, whereas the chart shows $100,000 or more and $25,000-$49,999 were both high, but $100,000 or more was 27.5 while $25,000-$49,999 was 29.5, yet the text misinterprets some relationships). Despite minor data retrieval slips, the main features are adequately addressed and supported.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is coherent overall with a clear logical arrangement divided into an introduction and body paragraphs detailing highest and lowest trends. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate different analytical angles. Cohesive devices are utilized, such as 'For instance', 'Furthermore', and 'Similarly', though some transitions feel slightly mechanical or repetitive in structure (e.g., repeatedly starting sentences with 'Similarly, in year...'). Referencing is generally clear, and progression is maintained, though the flow could be enhanced with more sophisticated cohesive links.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for the task, successfully using terms like 'households', 'annual income', 'depicts', and 'comparisons'. Attempts at less common vocabulary are present, though some awkward phrasing occurs, such as 'On a cursory look, it becomes evident' and 'certain number of households... which were increased'. Spelling is accurate, and word choices are generally clear enough to convey meaning without impeding the reader, placing it securely in the band 6 range.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response features a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating attempts at subordinate clauses ('while the lowest number of households was near 14 million...'). There are several grammatical errors and awkward structures, such as 'the time period of year 2007, 2011, 2015' (missing prepositions) and 'if we look year 2007' (missing 'at'). Punctuation errors also occur, such as a space before a comma ('99,999 .'). While these errors do not impede overall communication, they prevent the text from achieving a higher score.

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

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