Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)
The bar chart illustrates the number of households in the United States by their annual salary in 2007, 2009 and 2015.
Overall, 2015 had the highest number of households, while 2009 had the lowest number of households over the period.
In 2007, the number of US households with different annual incomes ranged from about 25 million to approximately 29 million. In 2009, the number of households ranged from around 27 million to 29 million. Overall, the figures for 2007 and 2009 were relatively similar.
Similarly, in 2015, the number of households with different annual incomes ranged from about 27 million to approximately 33 million. The figure for 2015 was generally higher than those for 2007 and 2009. In contrast, 2009 had the lowest figures in most income categories.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0
The student attempts to summarise the main features of the chart, but there is a major factual error in the time period: the student refers to "2009" instead of "2011" throughout the response (e.g., "in 2007, 2009 and 2015"). Furthermore, the overview is somewhat vague and misses key specific income bracket trends, such as the growth in the highest income bracket ($100,000 or more). Additionally, the response is under-length at 128 words, falling short of the 150-word minimum requirement. While some data points are mentioned, the inaccuracies regarding the years and the omission of key comparative features constrain the score.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The text is divided into four paragraphs, including a brief introduction and an overview. Logical progression is attempted, but the overall structure is weakened by the repetitive phrasing used to describe income ranges across years (e.g., "ranged from about 25 million to approximately 29 million"). Cohesive devices are minimal, and referencing is sometimes repetitive. Paragraphing is present, but the lack of varied transitional markers and the mechanical listing of data ranges limit cohesion to a Band 5 or 6 level.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
The vocabulary used is adequate for a basic summary, employing terms such as "illustrates," "households," "annual income," and "categories." However, the range is quite limited, and the student repeatedly relies on similar sentence frames and number descriptions (e.g., "ranged from about... to approximately..."). There are no notable advanced or less common lexical items attempted, and the misuse of the year "2009" constitutes a factual slip in data reporting. The vocabulary meets the minimum threshold for understanding but lacks flexibility.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5
The student demonstrates control over simple sentence structures and manages some moderately complex forms (e.g., "Overall, 2015 had the highest number of households, while 2009 had the lowest number..."). Grammatical accuracy is generally acceptable for basic sentences, with few direct errors in punctuation or syntax. However, the range of structures remains narrow, relying heavily on simple past tense statements describing ranges. Because complex structures are limited and prone to formulaic repetition, the grammar fits the Band 6 descriptor.
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