Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-28

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 7.0)

The bar chart illustrates the number of households in the United States, measured in millions, across five different annual income categories in 2007, 2011 and 2015.

Overall, households earning $100,000 or more showed the most significant increase and became the largest income group by 2015. In contrast, the number of households earning $50,000–$74,999 remained almost unchanged. The two middle-income groups also experienced relatively little variation over the period.

In 2007, approximately 25 million households earned less than $25,000, while around 27 million were in the $25,000–$49,999 category. The figures for households earning $50,000–$74,999 and $75,000–$99,999 were about 21 million and 14 million, respectively. The highest-income group accounted for roughly 29 million households.

By 2011, the number of households earning less than $25,000 had risen to about 29 million, while the $25,000–$49,999 group reached 30 million. The figures for the remaining categories were approximately 21 million, 14 million and 28 million. In 2015, the highest-income group increased sharply to around 33 million, whereas the other groups stood at approximately 28, 29, 21 and 15 million, respectively

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5

The student covers all parts of the task well, providing an accurate overview of the chart's main features and supporting details with specific figures. The response highlights the most significant trends, such as households earning $100,000 or more becoming the largest group by 2015, and correctly notes the relative stability of the $50,000–$74,999 income category. The data cited are very accurate and closely reflect the visual reference data provided. The information is well-selected and effectively summarised without unnecessary mechanical listing of every single data point, thus satisfying the Band 8 descriptor for covering all parts of the task well with well-developed ideas.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The response is logically organized with a clear overall progression. It begins with an effective introduction, followed by a concise overview paragraph that outlines key trends, and then moves into well-structured body paragraphs detailing specific years and income brackets. Cohesive devices such as 'Overall', 'In contrast', 'In 2007', and 'By 2011' are used appropriately to guide the reader through the data. Paragraphing is logical, with each paragraph serving a distinct function in the report. Minor improvements could involve slightly more varied transition phrases between the body paragraphs, but overall cohesion is natural and well-managed, aligning with a Band 7.5 to 8.0 level, comfortably earning a Band 7.5.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

The student demonstrates a sufficient and appropriate range of vocabulary for an Academic Task 1 response. Words and phrases such as 'illustrates', 'most significant increase', 'remained almost unchanged', and 'increased sharply' show an ability to describe trends effectively. While the vocabulary is largely standard for task one and avoids overly ambitious or misused uncommon lexical items, it is accurate and communicates the data clearly. There are no notable spelling or word-choice errors, which supports a solid Band 7 score under the lexical resource criteria.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.0

The student displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures, incorporating subordinate clauses and prepositional phrases smoothly (e.g., 'while around 27 million were in the $25,000–$49,999 category'). The majority of sentences are error-free, and control of grammar and punctuation is generally strong throughout the response. A minor punctuation slip is noted at the very end of the text where the final sentence lacks a full stop ('...respectively'), but this is a rare, isolated slip rather than a systemic weakness. The grammatical control easily justifies a Band 7.5 score.

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.