Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)

The given bar graph compares the proportion residents of the US by their yearly earnings in 2007, 2011 and 2015.

Overall, at the begining of the duration, people with $100,000 or more yearly salary accounted for the largest share. However, citizens with range between $75,000 and $99,999 were at the bottom. In 2011, people with $25,000 to $49,999 salary were at the top while lowest place was still the same. In 2015, trend became almost similar to 2007 with difference in figures.

First of all, people with $100,000 or more annual income with close to 30 million in 2007. They declined to around 26 million in next four years. However, numbers rose dramatically to approximately 37 million. Residents earning less than $25,000 and $25,000 to $49,999 were 25 million and 27 million, respectively. They surged to 28 million and 30 million in year 2011, respectively. While numbers dropped to 26 million and 27 million in 2015, respectively.

Contrary to this, people with annual income of $50,000 to $74,999 showed the same numbers of just above 20 million in the given duration. Meanwhile,

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The student attempts to address the prompt by comparing the number of US households by annual income across three years. However, there are significant issues with data accuracy and completeness. The introduction incorrectly states the chart compares 'proportion residents', whereas the chart shows numbers in millions. Furthermore, several figures cited are inaccurate compared to the visual data (e.g., stating those earning $100,000 or more rose to 'approximately 37 million' in 2015 when it was closer to 33.5 million). The overview attempts to capture main trends, but the descriptions of rankings are slightly confusing. The response also cuts off abruptly at the end ('Meanwhile,'). Consequently, Task Achievement is compromised by inaccurate data reporting and an incomplete concluding section.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The response is organized into paragraphs, attempting an introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs. However, logical progression is hindered by confusing descriptions of rankings and sudden cut-offs. Cohesive devices are used (e.g., 'Overall', 'However', 'First of all', 'Contrary to this'), but their mechanical application does not always result in clear logical relationships. Referencing is sometimes unclear, such as shifting abruptly between income brackets without maintaining a smooth narrative. Paragraphing is attempted, but the final paragraph is incomplete. Overall, cohesion is faulty and mechanical, placing the response in Band 5.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, attempting words and phrases such as 'accounted for the largest share', 'annual income', and 'surged'. However, there are noticeable lexical errors and awkward collocations, such as 'proportion residents' instead of 'number of households', and spelling mistakes like 'begining'. Less common vocabulary is attempted with limited success and some inaccuracy. While the vocabulary is minimally adequate to convey the general topic, the errors in word choice and spelling cause some distraction and minor difficulty for the reader.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The writer uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, attempting structures like 'people with $100,000 or more yearly salary accounted for...'. However, there are frequent grammatical errors and awkward phrasing, such as missing verbs in sentences like 'In 2011, people with $25,000 to $49,999 salary were at the top while lowest place was still the same' and 'people with $100,000 or more annual income with close to 30 million in 2007' (missing verb). Errors in prepositions, articles, and clause structures occur regularly, though communication is generally maintained despite the mistakes.

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.