Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-29

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 6.0)

The chart depicts the number of households in the United States according to their annual income in 2007, 2011 and 2015.

Overall, most of the households' yearly income exceeded $100,000 or more over the period, while less of them has $75,000 to $99,999 range of their annual income. In addition, number of $50,000 to $74,999 income group is constant in this period, while other two groups have little fluctuations.

The highest number of people has $100,000 or more annual income in 2007 which accounts for around 29. This income group decreased to 27 in 2011 and it again rose in 2015 to approximately 33, having the highest rank again. Conversely, from $75,000 to $99,999 income group had the lowest number of households over the period which accounts for around 14 in 2007, 13 in 2011, and 15 in 2015. However, $50,000 to $74,999 income group remained in same numbers from 2007 to 2015 period which accounts for around 21.

In addition, $25,000 to $49,999 income group has a fluctuation which stands for around 27 in 2007, 29 in 2011, and 28 in 2015. Additionally, less than $25,000 income group fluctuated that shows 25 households in 2007, around 28 in 2011, and approximately 27 in 2015.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The student successfully addresses all parts of the task by providing an overview and reporting the main features of the chart across the three given years. Key trends, such as the growth in the highest income bracket ($100,000 or more) and the stability of the middle bracket ($50,000 to $74,999), are accurately identified and supported with data points. However, there are a few minor generalisation inaccuracies in the overview (e.g., claiming most households exceeded $100,000, when that group only represented around 30 million out of over 100 million total households). Data is cited reasonably well, though figures are occasionally rounded off without units or slightly misread (e.g., stating the 2007 highest group was around 29 instead of 29.5 million). Overall, the response meets the requirements for a Band 6.5 to 7.0, showing a clear overview and relevant data coverage.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The essay is organized logically into four paragraphs: an introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs breaking down the income categories. Cohesive devices are used to link ideas (e.g., 'Overall', 'In addition', 'Conversely', 'Additionally'). However, some cohesive links feel a bit repetitive or mechanical. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the overall trends from the specific data breakdowns. Referencing is generally clear, though minor cohesive awkwardness prevents a higher score. Overall, the text demonstrates a coherent arrangement with clear progression, fitting the Band 6.5 to 7.0 criteria.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for the task, incorporating terms such as 'households', 'annual income', 'fluctuation', 'decreased', and 'rose'. There are some attempts at less common vocabulary, but these are occasionally paired with awkward phrasing or word choice errors, such as 'number of $50,000 to $74,999 income group is constant' and 'less of them has $75,000 to $99,999 range'. Spelling is accurate, and while vocabulary choice lacks the flexibility and precision of higher bands, communication is never impeded. This performance aligns comfortably with Band 6.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The response features a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating some control over structure. There are, however, several grammatical errors throughout the text, particularly with subject-verb agreement and article usage (e.g., 'number of $50,000 to $74,999 income group is constant', 'other two groups have little fluctuations', 'The highest number of people has $100,000 or more annual income'). Additionally, expressions like 'which accounts for around 29' omit the crucial unit of measurement ('million'). Despite these persistent errors, the meaning remains clear and communication is not impeded, supporting a Band 6.0 score.

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