Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-01

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 5.0)

The bar chart illustrate the number of resident in the US by their annual earning (in million) in 2007, 2011 and 2015.

Overall, in 2007 $100,000 or more has recorded the highest income and it littlebit goes down in 2011 but in 2015 it goes to the higest point. $75,000-$99,999 recorded the stable reach over the period of time.

Moreover, in 2011 less than $25,000 reach on the topmost level around 28 million and same as the $25,000-$49,000 reach the highest point appoximately 30 million. $50,000-$74,000 recorded the slight flactuation over the time period around 15 million.

furthermore, $100,000 or more reach its maximum point around 33 million in 2015 and it's lowest recorded in 2011 around 27 million.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

The response covers some of the main features of the chart, such as mentioning the highest income category in 2015 and attempting to report various figures. However, the task is only partially addressed because the writing falls significantly short of the 150-word minimum, containing only 119 words. Furthermore, several data points are misreported or imprecise; for instance, the description of the $50,000-$74,999 category as showing 'slight flactuation' contradicts the chart where the value remains completely constant at 21 million across all three years. To improve, you must ensure you meet the minimum word count requirement and carefully verify your data readings against the visual information provided.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The text shows some organization with basic paragraphing and introductory and transitional markers like 'Overall', 'Moreover', and 'furthermore'. However, there is a lack of clear overall progression, and the logical flow is disrupted by inaccurate data reporting and awkward transitions. Cohesive devices are sometimes used mechanically or inaccurately, and referencing between sentences can be unclear. To achieve a higher band, you need to structure your response with a more logical sequence of information, ensuring smooth transitions between paragraphs and clear referencing of trends over the given time period.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

The vocabulary used is limited and minimally adequate for the task. There are noticeable lexical errors and spelling mistakes throughout the text, such as 'illustrate' instead of 'illustrates', 'earning' instead of 'earnings', 'higest', 'appoximately', and 'flactuation'. The range of vocabulary is basic and repetitive, relying heavily on simple phrasing to describe trends and numbers. To improve, you should expand your range of vocabulary by incorporating precise synonyms and varied reporting verbs, while also paying closer attention to word forms and correct spelling.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The essay demonstrates a very limited range of sentence structures, relying primarily on simple statements. Attempts at complex or longer sentences are often faulty, leading to frequent grammatical errors that can cause difficulty for the reader. Examples include subject-verb agreement issues ('The bar chart illustrate'), missing articles ('in million'), and awkward prepositions or phrasing ('reach on the topmost level', 'same as the $25,000-$49,000 reach'). To move up to a higher band, you need to practice forming accurate complex sentences with correct verb tenses, prepositions, and grammatical agreements.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

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