Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-24
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 number of households in the US is given in the chart, followed by their yearly income in the year 2007, 2011 and 2015.
Overall, the annual income of people with $100,000 or more is consecutively highest in 2015 than in previous years. Whereas, the ratio of individuals with their yearly income ranking from $25,000 to $49,999 reached its maximum point in the year 2011, as compared to other two years. Consequently, there is a little to no change in the other two salary structures.
The annual income scoring $100,000 or more was the salary of approximately 33 million individuals, thus being the greatest number of people with this income. While in 2007, the ratio of same cash amount was given to people around 29.5 million, and declined in 2011 with 27 million people having this income per year.
Another income structure of $75,000-$99,999 was given to 15 million US households, having a decline in past years of about 14.5 million and 14 million in the year 2007 and 2011 respectively.
The majority of people upto 30 million in 2011 had their yearly salary of $25,000-$49,999, while the other two years have a less value of 22 million in 2007 and 29 million in 2015.
The income bracket $50,000-$74,999 was identical throughout the years. A slightly marginal change has been observed in the salary structure $75,000-$99,999 as it was 15 million in 2015 as the greatest shift in ratio for this period, whereas 14.5 million US residents comprises this salary structure, causing a slight decrease of 14 million in 2011.
Thus, the US residents have their income of about $100,000 or more till the end of the period 2015.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5
The student attempts to cover the main features of the chart, providing an overview and selecting data points to report. However, there are notable confusions and inaccuracies in data interpretation. For example, the student writes that the annual income of people with $100,000 or more is 'consecutively highest in 2015 than in previous years' and later contradicts or confuses income brackets with individual counts (e.g., 'the annual income scoring $100,000 or more was the salary of approximately 33 million individuals'). Furthermore, some data points are misread or awkwardly framed, such as stating the $25,000-$49,999 bracket had 'a less value of 22 million in 2007' when the chart shows 27 million. While an overview is attempted, the lack of precision and confusing phrasing regarding numbers of households versus income levels pull this criterion down to Band 5.5.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0
The response is organized into paragraphs, attempting an introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs detailing specific categories. However, logical progression is frequently disrupted by awkward transitions and confusing sentence structures. Cohesive devices are sometimes used mechanically or inaccurately (e.g., 'Whereas,' starting a sentence abruptly, and 'Consequently, there is a little to no change' which does not logically follow the previous sentence). Paragraphing is attempted, but ideas within paragraphs sometimes overlap or repeat (the $75,000-$99,999 bracket is discussed in multiple sections). Overall arrangement shows some basic organization, but referencing and logical flow are inconsistent, fitting the Band 5.0 descriptor.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
The student demonstrates an adequate vocabulary to discuss statistics and trends, utilizing terms like 'annual income', 'bracket', 'decline', and 'majority'. However, there are frequent inappropriate word choices and collocations that detract from precision, such as 'the annual income of people with $100,000 or more' instead of 'households earning', 'scoring $100,000', and 'cash amount'. Expressions like 'less value' instead of 'lower figure' also highlight limitations in lexical control. While communication is not entirely impeded, the vocabulary usage reflects Band 5.0 characteristics due to noticeable inaccuracies in word choice and phrasing.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The response features a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, but attempts at complex structures are often clumsy or grammatically flawed. Examples include 'the ratio of individuals with their yearly income ranking from $25,000 to $49,999 reached its maximum point' and 'while the other two years have a less value of 22 million in 2007 and 29 million in 2015' (tense inconsistency). There are issues with subject-verb agreement and prepositional use ('incomes of about $100,000 or more till the end of the period'). Errors are frequent enough to cause some difficulty for the reader, aligning closely with Band 5.0 descriptors.
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.