Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-19
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 bar chart illustrates the number of households in the US by their annual income in 2007, 2011 and 2015.
Overall, their annual $[redacted phone] or more income had highest number of households in three years while in between $75000-$99999 income had lowest numbers.
In 2007, less than $25000 income had around 25 millions of households followed by just below 30 millions in 2011 and above 25 millions in 2015. Annual $25000-$49999 had approximately 27 millions households in 2007 while 30 millions and 28 millions accounted in order to 2011 and 2015. Approximately 21 millions of households had in between $50000 to $74999 annual income in 2007, with this income consisted 21 millions in 2011 and 2015.
Annually $75000-$99999 income marked up around 14 millions households in 2007 whereas 13 millions in 2011 and 15 millions in 2015 which is lowest as compare to other annual income. Highest contributed $[redacted phone] or more income had around 29 millions households in 2007 while 27 millions in 2011 and 33 millions in 2015.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 6.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0
The student covers all parts of the task well by reporting data across the three requested years and different income categories. The overview correctly identifies that the highest income bracket had significant numbers, though the statement contains a slight generalisation inaccuracy. Main features and some comparisons are selected and reported, such as mentioning that the $75,000-$99,999 bracket was the lowest and detailing specific figures for 2007, 2011, and 2015. However, the data reporting is occasionally slightly imprecise compared to the visual reference (e.g., reporting 29 millions instead of 29.5 millions), and the overview could be more comprehensive regarding overall trends. This performance satisfies the criteria for Band 6.0.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The response has a clear overall arrangement with an introductory paragraph, an overview, and body paragraphs dedicated to grouping the income categories. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate different groups of data. However, progression is sometimes hindered by mechanical or awkward transitions, such as 'with this income consisted 21 millions' and 'in order to 2011 and 2015'. Cohesive devices are somewhat repetitive and basic. Referencing is generally clear, but the lack of smoother inter-sentential linking devices prevents the essay from reaching a higher band. This corresponds to a Band 6.0.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully incorporating terms related to charts and economics such as 'illustrates', 'households', 'annual income', and 'bracket categories'. However, there are notable lexical and collocation errors throughout the response, such as 'had highest number', 'marked up around', and 'Highest contributed'. Furthermore, awkward phrasings like 'accounted in order to' and 'lowest as compare to' detract from lexical precision. The vocabulary is minimally adequate to convey the message, but frequent awkward collocations and word choices restrict the score to a Band 5.5.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response features a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, though attempts at complexity frequently result in grammatical errors. Examples of inaccurate structures include 'with this income consisted 21 millions in 2011 and 2015' and 'households had in between $50000 to $74999 annual income'. Preposition and article errors are also present, such as omitting necessary articles or misusing them ('in between $75000-$99999 income had lowest numbers'). While these errors do not completely impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent the grammar score from reaching Band 6.0, placing it firmly at Band 5.5.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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