Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-22

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 chart illustrates the number of households in the USA across different annual income groups in 2007, 2011, and 2015.

Overall, $100,000 or more accounted for the largest share in 2015, whereas it recorded the lowest figure in 2011. In terms of less than $25,000, the figure registered the highest value in 2011, while it occupied the lowest share in 2007. However, $25,000-$49,999 represented the highest share in 2011. Moreover, $50,000-$74,999 had nearly the same position in all years. In addition, $75,000-$99,999 remained relatively stable throughout the years.

Looking first at 2015, households earning $100,000 or more occupied the top position, at around 34 million, followed by $25,000-$49,999, less than $25,000, and $50,000-$74,999, whose figures stood at approximately 28 million, 27 million, and nearly 21 million, respectively; in contrast, $75,000-$99,999 recorded the lowest figure, at exactly 15 million. Regarding 2011, $25,000-$49,999, less than $25,000, $100,000 or more, and $50,000-$74,999 recorded exactly 30 million, approximately 29 million, 27 million, and just above 20 million, respectively, whereas $75,000-$99,999 accounted for only 14 million.

Turning to 2007, $75,000-$99,999 recorded the lowest figure, at around 14 million, with $50,000-$74,999, less than $25,000, and $25,000-$49,999 at approximately 21 million, 25 million, and nearly 27 million, respectively, while $100,000 or more registered the top position, at around 29 million.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The student successfully addresses all parts of the prompt by selecting and reporting the main features of the US household income chart for the years 2007, 2011, and 2015. An overview is provided right at the beginning, highlighting key shifts such as the highest and lowest points for specific income brackets. Data points are accurately cited and compared, for example noting that households earning $100,000 or more reached around 34 million in 2015. While the structure of the body paragraphs relies heavily on listing data by year rather than comparing trends fluidly across time, all required information is covered thoroughly and accurately against the provided visual data, demonstrating a solid grasp of Task 1 requirements.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The response is logically organised into clear paragraphs, starting with an introduction, followed by an overview, and then breaking down the data chronologically. Cohesive devices such as 'Looking first at', 'Regarding', and 'Turning to' are employed to guide the reader through the detailed figures. However, paragraphing could be improved; combining the detailed year-by-year body paragraphs into trend-based thematic groupings would create a more natural logical progression. Additionally, using referencing terms like 'the former' and 'the latter' could reduce repetitiveness and enhance the overall flow of comparisons between multiple income brackets.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for an academic task, successfully incorporating terms such as 'illustrates', 'accounted for', 'approximately', and 'stood at'. There are appropriate attempts to use varied phrasing for reporting statistics, such as 'recorded the lowest figure' and 'occupied the top position'. However, some word choices feel slightly unnatural or repetitive when describing income brackets as having a 'position' rather than a 'share' or 'proportion'. Spelling and word formation are generally accurate, and vocabulary errors do not impede communication, placing the response solidly in the band 6 range.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The response features a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, with effective deployment of introductory adverbial clauses (e.g., 'Looking first at 2015, households earning...'). There is a good variety of participial phrases and comparative structures used to list data points accurately. Grammatical accuracy is reasonably high, and punctuation is handled competently throughout the text. Minor slips occur, such as awkward phrasing in the overview paragraph where income brackets are treated as the subjects of actions (e.g., '$100,000 or more accounted for the largest share'), but these errors are infrequent and do not impede the reader's understanding.

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

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