Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)

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. Less than $25,000 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.

In terms of less than $25,000, the figure registered the highest value in 2011, while it occupied the lowest share in 2007.

While the trend for 'less than $25,000' rising in 2011 is correct, the claim that it 'occupied the lowest share in 2007' is inaccurate; in 2007, the '$75,000-$99,999' group was the lowest (approx. 14 million vs 25 million). This factual error weakens the accuracy of the overview.

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, whereas $75,000-$99,999 recorded the lowest figure, at around 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, while $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, whereas $100,000 or more dominated the chart, at around 29 million.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The student attempts to cover the main features of the chart, providing figures for different years and income brackets. However, the response contains significant factual errors and confusing self-contradictions in the overview and body paragraphs. For instance, in the overview, the student incorrectly states that the '$100,000 or more' group 'recorded the lowest figure in 2011' (when it was actually around 27.5 million, well above the lowest figure of 14 million for the $75,000–$99,999 group). Furthermore, there is an accidental inclusion of meta-commentary/editorial notes mid-text (e.g., 'While the trend for 'less than $25,000' rising in 2011 is correct...'). These inaccuracies and organisational flaws prevent the response from fully and accurately satisfying the requirements of Task 1.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The essay is divided into paragraphs, but the overall logical flow and progression are severely disrupted by the inclusion of commentary text and conflicting statements within the overview. While the student attempts to use cohesive phrases such as 'Looking first at 2015', 'Regarding 2011', and 'Turning to 2007', the mechanical referencing and confusing paragraph structure detract from readability. Paragraphing is used, but the presence of disjointed analytical sentences embedded between the overview and body paragraphs compromises the overall coherence of the response.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary used is generally adequate for discussing data, incorporating terms such as 'illustrates', 'accounted for', 'share', 'dominated', and 'respectively'. However, the range is somewhat limited and repetitive, with frequent reuse of terms like 'figure', 'share', and 'recorded'. There are also lexical inaccuracies resulting from data misinterpretation. While some attempts are made at less common phrasing, the errors in data reporting and the awkward phrasing limit the lexical score to a solid Band 6.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The student demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, utilising participial phrases ('followed by...', 'respectively, whereas...') and relative clauses. There are several error-free sentences, particularly when listing comparative data for specific years. However, occasional awkward constructions and the disruptive presence of editorial notes embedded in the text impact overall control and precision. Grammar and punctuation errors do not heavily impede communication, allowing the response to secure a Band 6.

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.