Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)

The provided chart displays the amount of income per year of households of United States in specific years of 2007, 2011 and 2015.

Overall, the chart show that annual income in year 2015 was highest with with almost 1 lakh dollar being earned by more than 30 million households. We can see the same kind of trend in year 2007 as almost 29 million households with more than 1 lakh dollar earning. But in year 2011 there was a slight change as the highest income of majority of households was between 25 thousand dollars to 50 thousand dollars.

In year 2007, the highest number of families were earning more than one lakh dollar and and the lowest number of families being reported were earning between 75 thousand dollars to 1 lakh dollars . In contrast, this trend decline as the highest ratio of families in year 2011 were earning between 25 thousand dollars to 50 thousand dollars and lowest ratio of families was same as year 2007 as it was between 75 thousand dollars to 1 lakh dollars .

While in year 2015, the trend take a rise once again same as the year 2007 and the highest ratio of families were earning more than 1 lakh dollars and lowest ratio of families were earning between 75 thousand dollars to 1 lakh dollars. In the trend of all 3 years the other annual income values keep flactuating .

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

The response addresses the main components of the prompt by describing the US household income chart for the years 2007, 2011, and 2015, and attempts some comparisons between categories. However, the development of ideas is limited and at times confusing. For instance, the overview contains inaccurate claims regarding the overall highest income year and misinterprets the data points by using informal terms like '1 lakh dollar' instead of standard currency figures or general income brackets. Furthermore, some of the specific feature reporting contains contradictions or is under-developed. To reach a higher band, the response needs to present a clearer and more accurate overview of the main trends without misstating data, and ensure all comparisons are fully and correctly supported.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The essay displays some organizational structure with an introductory sentence, body paragraphs dedicated to different years, and a concluding remark on fluctuations. However, there is no clear overall progression, and the sequencing of information feels repetitive rather than progressive. Cohesive devices are used mechanically or are sometimes inaccurate, as seen in the repeated phrasing 'In contrast, this trend decline' and 'While in year 2015, the trend take a rise'. Paragraphing is attempted, but internal cohesion within paragraphs suffers from repetitive sentence openings and unclear referencing. To improve, the writer should vary cohesive links, ensure smooth transitions between sentences and paragraphs, and establish a logical narrative flow.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The lexical range is limited and minimally adequate for the task. The student attempts to discuss numerical data and trends, but relies heavily on basic vocabulary and awkward phrasing, such as 'amount of income per year of households of United States' and non-standard numeric terminology like '1 lakh dollar'. There are noticeable lexical errors and inappropriate word choices, including 'flactuating' instead of fluctuating, and 'trend decline' instead of declined. These errors sometimes cause minor confusion for the reader. To achieve a higher band, the writer needs to incorporate a wider and more precise range of vocabulary, use correct economic and graph-reporting terminology, and improve spelling and word formation control.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The writing demonstrates a limited range of sentence structures, with frequent errors that can cause difficulty for the reader. While the student attempts complex sentences, they are often faulty in execution, such as missing articles, incorrect verb forms ('the chart show', 'trend take a rise'), and awkward prepositional phrases. Punctuation is also problematic, featuring redundant double conjunctions ('and and') and poor spacing around punctuation marks. Simple sentences dominate, and the frequent grammatical errors across verb tenses and subject-verb agreement prevent the writing from achieving better control. To progress, the student must focus on foundational grammatical accuracy, correct subject-verb agreement, proper tense consistency when describing past data, and eliminating repetitive structural errors.

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