Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-23

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 graphs compares the information about the count of house owners in the US by their yearly wage with various categories in the years of 2007,2011 and 2015.

Overall, families who holds 1 millions$ or more was clearly described the largest group. There was also noticable gap between people who earned more then million dollers annually and between 75,000 to 99,999 $.

Specifically, in 2007 there were quarter millions of families have less than 25000$ salaries. after four years gaped in 2011, 2015 it reached approximatly 28 miilions families. ahed of people whoes anual income was under 50,000$ at around 28 millions households which rose in 4 years upto 3 million families. despite to 2011, it fall 2 millions house owners in 2011.

Furthermore, US resident who earned $50,000-74,999, their numbers of householdes remain same in 2007,2011,2015; about 21 millions. While who earne between 75,000 to 99,999 $ were ocilating their families countes during all the three years and it was far smaller. highest yearly waged residents also highest in familiy numbers. 29 millions in 2007, 26 millions in 2011, above 30 million in 2015 following.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

The response attempts to cover the main features of the chart, but it contains significant inaccuracies and misinterpretations of the data. For instance, the statement that families holding '1 millions$ or more' were the largest group is accurate for 2015 and 2007, but the student's description of the numbers is confused and contains contradictory figures. Furthermore, the data points for lower income brackets are misread and poorly articulated, such as 'quarter millions of families have less than 25000$ salaries.' While an overview is attempted, the lack of precision in reporting figures and the presence of erroneous data points prevent the response from achieving a higher band score. To improve, the student must carefully verify figures against the visual data and present a clearer, more accurate summary of the main trends.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response is divided into paragraphs, which provides a basic structure, but the logical progression is frequently disrupted by unclear referencing and awkward transitions. Expressions like 'after four years gaped in 2011, 2015' and 'despite to 2011, it fall 2 millions house owners in 2011' are confusing and fail to guide the reader smoothly through the data. Cohesive devices are used awkwardly or inaccurately, and the internal cohesion within paragraphs often breaks down due to grammatical errors and jumbled sentence structures. Paragraphing is attempted, but the grouping of ideas lacks clear organisation. To improve, the student should use standard cohesive markers (such as 'in contrast' or 'similarly') and ensure that each paragraph focuses on a distinct, well-sequenced aspect of the data.

Lexical Resource: Band 4.5

The vocabulary used is relatively basic and repetitive, with frequent word-choice and collocation errors. Phrases like 'yearly wage', 'house owners' (instead of households), and 'familiy numbers' demonstrate a limited control of task-appropriate leccis. There are also frequent currency and number formatting errors, such as '1 millions$' and 'dollers'. While the student attempts some less common vocabulary, inaccuracies in spelling ('noticable', 'approximatly', 'miilions', 'ahed', 'whoses', 'upto', 'remain', 'earne', 'ocilating', 'countes') and word formation frequently impede communication. To achieve a higher band, the student needs to expand their range of vocabulary related to data trends and ensure correct spelling and word formation.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

The grammatical range is quite limited, consisting of simple and attempted complex sentences that are frequently marred by severe structural errors. Examples include 'families who holds 1 millions$ or more was clearly described', 'there were quarter millions of families have less', and 'While who earne between 75,000 to 99,999 $ were ocilating their families countes'. Subject-verb agreement errors, incorrect verb tenses, and awkward passive/active voice confusions are pervasive throughout the text. These frequent errors cause considerable difficulty for the reader and obscure the intended meaning. To improve, the student must focus on foundational grammar rules, particularly subject-verb agreement, accurate verb forms, and the correct construction of complex sentences.

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.