Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-20
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 chart compares the number of US households by annual income in three years.
Overall, it is evident that the income 100,000 or more accounted for the highest number in 2007 and 2015. However, 75,000-99,999 income showed the lowest number. While 50,000-74,999 remained unchanged throughout the period.
In 2015, the number of households income from 100,00 or more remained comparatively high at 32 millions. Similarly, in 2007, it was at 30 millions. Moreover, 75,000-99,999 figure represented the lowest number in all three years. which was at 15 millions. While 50,000-74,999 remained unchanged throughout the year at 20.
In addition, the income of 25,000- 49,999 in 2011 was at highest number at 30 millions. However, in 2007, it was at 27 and in 2015, it decreased at 38 millions. In the case of less than 25,000 income was at lowest level in 2007 at 25 and in 2011, it increased at 27. In 2015, it again reduced to 26 millions.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response attempts to address all parts of the task by reporting on the main categories and comparing data across the three specified years. An overview is attempted in the second paragraph, although it contains inaccuracies regarding the highest and lowest categories. Specifically, the student states that the income of $100,000 or more accounted for the highest number in 2007 and 2015, which is accurate, but misses key data trends and contains major factual errors in the body paragraphs. For instance, the student claims that in 2015 the $25,000–$49,999 category decreased to '38 millions' (which contradicts the chart and basic logic since 38 exceeds the chart scale) and misquotes several other figures. Due to these significant data reporting errors and misunderstandings of the chart values, the response achieves Band 5.0.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The response is organized into paragraphs, starting with an introduction, an overview, and subsequent body paragraphs detailing specific data points. However, the logical progression is hindered by confusing sentence structures and abrupt transitions. Cohesive devices are used minimally and sometimes inappropriately, such as the repetitive use of 'while' and 'however' without clear contrastive logic. Referencing is occasionally unclear, as seen in fragmented sentences like 'which was at 15 millions.' Paragraphing is attempted, but the internal cohesion within paragraphs is weak, resulting in a disjointed reading experience. This aligns with the Band 5 descriptor for coherence and cohesion.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is very basic and repetitive, frequently reusing terms like 'number', 'income', 'millions', and 'remained unchanged'. There are noticeable errors in word choice and collocation, such as 'households income from 100,00 or more' instead of 'households with an income of $100,000 or more'. The lexical range is limited and barely adequate for the task, with frequent awkward phrasing that causes some difficulty for the reader. Spelling and numerical transcription errors further detract from the lexical score. Overall, the vocabulary deployment fits a Band 5 profile.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response displays a very limited range of grammatical structures. Simple sentences dominate, and attempts at more complex structures are frequently faulty, leading to ungrammatical constructions such as '75,000-99,999 figure represented the lowest number in all three years. which was at 15 millions' (incorrect sentence boundary and punctuation). There are frequent errors in verb tense, prepositions, and agreement, such as 'decreased at 38 millions' and 'income of 25,000- 49,999 in 2011 was at highest number'. These frequent errors cause noticeable strain and difficulty for the reader, placing the grammar performance firmly at Band 5.0.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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