Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-30

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 compares the number of US households, in millions, across five annual income brackets in 2007, 2011 and 2015.

Overall, most income brackets stayed relatively stable, whereas the number of households earning $100,000 or more dipped in 2011 before rising sharply in 2015, when it became the largest category. The $75,000-$99,999 bracket remained the smallest throughout the period.

In 2007, roughly 29 million households earned $100,000 or more, making it the largest category, followed by the $25,000-$49,999 bracket at around 27 million. Approximately 25 million households earned less than $25,000. The $50,000-$74,999 and $75,000-$99,999 brackets were considerably lower, at about 21 million and 14 million respectively.

In 2011, the $25,000-$49,999 bracket became the largest at nearly 30 million, closely followed by the less than $25,000 group at around 28.5 million. The number of households earning $100,000 or more fell to approximately 27.5 million, while the $50,000-$74,999 bracket stayed at about 21 million. The $75,000-$99,999 bracket remained the smallest, at roughly 14 million.

In 2015, the number of households earning $100,000 or more rose sharply to about 33 million, the highest figure on the chart. By contrast, the less than $25,000 and $25,000-$49,999 groups changed only slightly, at around 27.5 million and 28 million respectively, while the two middle-income brackets remained close to their previous levels.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5

The student successfully addresses all parts of the task by providing a comprehensive overview and highlighting key features and comparisons across the years and income brackets. The main trends are accurately identified, such as the high-income bracket peaking in 2015 and the lower-middle brackets remaining relatively stable. The data points cited—such as approximately 29 million for the top bracket in 2007 and nearly 30 million for the second bracket in 2011—are accurate and closely match the visual data provided. The response includes a clear and well-crafted overview paragraph that effectively summarises the overarching trends without getting bogged down in unnecessary minor details, fully satisfying the requirements for a high band score in Task Achievement.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.5

The response demonstrates a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Ideas are logically sequenced, starting with an introductory statement, moving to a well-formulated overview, and then detailing specific years in chronological order. Cohesive devices such as 'whereas', 'throughout the period', 'by contrast', and 'while' are used naturally and effectively to manage comparisons and transitions. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, with each main paragraph dedicated to a distinct chronological segment of the chart. Referencing and substitution are handled smoothly, ensuring that the reader can easily follow the relationships between different income brackets and time periods without any noticeable friction or mechanical repetition.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

The student uses a sufficient and appropriate range of vocabulary relevant to the task of describing visual data. Phrases like 'stayed relatively stable', 'dipped in 2011', 'rising sharply', and 'considerably lower' demonstrate good flexibility and precision. Less common lexical items and reporting language such as 'bracket', 'category', and 'figure' are employed accurately and with an appropriate academic style. Word choice and collocation are generally natural, with only very occasional minor generalisations. The vocabulary deployed adequately allows for precise descriptions of numerical fluctuations and comparative relationships without impeding communication at any point.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.5

The writing exhibits a good variety of complex sentence structures, including subordinate clauses introduced by 'whereas', 'when', and 'while'. The majority of sentences are error-free, showcasing a strong command of grammatical control and punctuation. Examples such as 'Overall, most income brackets stayed relatively stable, whereas the number of households earning $100,000 or more dipped in 2011 before rising sharply in 2015...' illustrate both structural complexity and accurate tense consistency. Minor slips or awkward formulations are virtually absent, and the punctuation correctly guides the reader through the comparative clauses and lists of numerical data, reflecting a high level of grammatical accuracy.

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