Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · 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 7.5)

The bar chart illustrates the number of households in the United States by their annual income in 2007, 2011 and 2015.

Overall, the number of households in the highest income category increased considerably over the period, while the figures for the other income groups showed relatively small changes. In addition, households earning $100,000 or more had the highest figure in 2015, whereas the $75,000–$99,999 group had the lowest figure throughout the period.

In 2007, the number of households earning less than $25,000 was approximately 25 million, while the figure for those earning $25,000–$49,999 was about 27 million. The $50,000–$74,999 and $75,000–$99,999 groups accounted for around 21 million and 14 million households respectively. The highest figure was recorded for households earning $100,000 or more, at approximately 29 million.

In 2011, the figures for the first two income groups rose to around 29 million and 30 million respectively. Meanwhile, the $50,000–$74,999 group remained at about 21 million, while the $75,000–$99,999 category was approximately 14 million. The number of households earning $100,000 or more was around 28 million. By 2015, the figure for the highest-income group had increased significantly to about 33 million. The other categories remained relatively stable, ranging from approximately 15 million to 29 million.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5

The student successfully addresses all parts of the task by providing a well-selected overview and covering the main features and trends across the years. The opening summary accurately captures the significant growth in the highest income category alongside the relative stability of others. Data points cited throughout the body paragraphs, such as households earning less than $25,000 in 2007 being approximately 25 million and the peak of around 33 million for the highest income group in 2015, are accurate and faithfully reflect the provided visual data. The response compares categories appropriately without unnecessary listing of every single data point, thus achieving a well-balanced overview and detailed support.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.5

The response is logically organized with a clear overall progression. Ideas are grouped sensibly into an introduction, an overview paragraph, and distinct body paragraphs focusing on 2007 data and subsequent years. Cohesive devices such as 'meanwhile', 'in addition', and 'by 2015' are used naturally and effectively to guide the reader through the data. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, ensuring the structure supports readability and logical flow throughout.

Lexical Resource: Band 7.0

The student demonstrates a sufficient and flexible range of vocabulary suited to academic reporting, utilizing appropriate phrases like 'illustrates', 'considerable over the period', 'accounted for', and 'remained relatively stable'. There is successful employment of less common lexical items and precise phrasing when describing trends ('rose to around', 'increased significantly'). Word choice and collocation are accurate, and no noticeable spelling errors detract from communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.5

The writer uses a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures with frequent error-free sentences. Clauses are well-constructed, incorporating comparative and transitional structures smoothly (e.g., 'while the figures for the other income groups showed relatively small changes'). Control of grammar and punctuation is strong throughout, with only minor slips that do not impede communication. The majority of the sentences are grammatically accurate.

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.