Band 4.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.5 · 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 4.5)

this bar chart illustrate the number of households in the US by their annual income in years of 2007, 2011 and 2015.

this chart compares the percentage of US households by their annual income in 2007, 2011 and 2015. the house holds with less than 25 thousand $ income gradually increased from 2007 to 2011

at the onset of 2007, a significant rise was seen number of US households by annual income 100,000 or more at 30%. However, number of US households by annual income were $25,000-$49,999 at 26%. Morever, number of US household spend a little amount on their houses.

in the year of 2011, the number of US household by their annual income 25,000-49,999 at 30%. however, a great increase the number of US huousehlds by their annual income less than 25,000 and 100,000 or more at probably same at 28%. Morever, the us households spend a bit or little bit amount spend their houses.

in 2015, the number of us households by their annual income 100,000 or more increases at 33%. however, the number of us households by their annual income 25,000-49,999 at 28%. morever, us households not spend money on house by their annual income between 50,000-74,999 and 75,000-99,999.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.0

The response addresses the task only minimally, as the information presented is largely inaccurate and confused. For example, the student misinterprets the data categories as percentages rather than millions (writing "at 30%"), and repeats contradictory or irrelevant claims such as claiming households "spend a little amount on their houses." While the introduction attempts to outline the chart, the overall response lacks a clear overview and fails to accurately report the main features or make valid comparisons. The data points cited, such as income bands and numbers, are frequently misread or presented without context, which keeps the response at a minimal level of achievement.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

There is some basic organisation attempted through paragraphing, but there is no clear overall progression of ideas. The text is disjointed, and the use of cohesive devices is highly repetitive and often inaccurate (e.g., repeatedly starting sentences with "morever" and "however"). Paragraphing is poorly handled, with thoughts lumped together without logical links. Referencing between sentences is unclear, making it difficult for the reader to follow a logical argument or data comparison throughout the text.

Lexical Resource: Band 4.5

The vocabulary used is very basic and repetitive, frequently relying on simple formulaic phrases copied from the prompt (e.g., "number of US households by their annual income"). There are noticeable errors in word choice and form, such as "huousehlds" and incorrect collocations regarding how households spend money. The limited range of vocabulary is barely adequate to communicate the ideas, and the misuse of financial terms strains the reader's understanding.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

The response demonstrates a very limited range of structures, relying mostly on simple sentences with frequent attempts at complex structures that are faulty. There are persistent errors in basic grammar, including missing capitalization (e.g., beginning sentences with lowercase letters like "this"), incorrect verb forms ("increases at 33%"), and omission of necessary articles and prepositions. These frequent errors cause difficulty and distraction for the reader throughout the text.

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