Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-03
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 given bar graph illustrates the information about annual income of the US households in 2007, 2011 and 2015.
Overall, 20 millions households of the US were earning $50,000 to $47,999, while 15 millions people were getting $100,000 or more, which were key feature of the graph.
To begin with, in 2007, 25 millions households were earning less than $25000 billions but in 2011 and 2015 this ratio was increased which was slight down to 30 millions. Up to 25 millions households of the US were earning $25,000-$49,999 in 2007, in 2011 number was inclined to 30 millions, however again in 2015 fraction was declined. Moreover, 15 millions people were earning $50,000-$74,999 in 2007 and this ratio remained unchanged.
Additionally, 15 millions residents were earning $75,000-$99,999 in all years except in 2011 which was slight down to15 millions. Furthernore, in the begning, in 2007, 30 millions households were making $100,000 or more. In 2011 the number was decreased which remained almost 28 millions but again in 2015 the number rose to 33 millions households.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0
The response addresses the task only partially and contains numerous factual inaccuracies when reporting data from the chart. For instance, the overview incorrectly states that '20 millions households of the US were earning $50,000 to $47,999' (mixing up categories and values, and citing a non-existent income bracket). Furthermore, details within the body paragraphs often conflict with the visual data, such as claiming that households earning less than $25,000 reached '30 millions' or misreporting the income figures as 'billions'. While an attempt is made to present an overview and select some main features, the confusion in numbers, units, and categories prevents the response from fully conveying the information in the graph.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0
The response demonstrates a coherent overall arrangement with a clear attempt to structure the writing into an introduction, an overview, and distinct body paragraphs. Basic cohesive devices are used to guide the reader through the data, such as 'To begin with', 'Moreover', and 'Additionally'. However, referencing and logical progression are sometimes faulty, and some linking words feel mechanical or are misused, as seen in phrases like 'Furthernore, in the begning'. Paragraphing is present and helps separate different income categories, but the overall progression is occasionally hindered by confusing data points and repetitive transitions.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
The lexical range is limited and minimally adequate for the task. The vocabulary is largely repetitive, relying on basic terms such as 'households', 'earning', 'millions', and 'number'. There are noticeable lexical errors and inappropriate word choices throughout the text, including writing 'billions' instead of 'millions', spelling errors like 'begning', and inaccurate phrasing such as 'ratio was increased' or 'fraction was declined' when referring to absolute numbers of households. These errors occasionally cause confusion for the reader regarding the precise nature of the data being described.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5
The student displays a limited range of sentence structures, relying primarily on simple statements with frequent errors when attempting more complex patterns. There are frequent grammatical errors involving subject-verb agreement, such as 'which was slight down to 15 millions' or 'the number was decreased which remained almost 28 millions'. Prepositional and structural errors also persist, such as 'in all years except in 2011 which was slight down to15 millions'. While the meaning can sometimes be deciphered, these frequent inaccuracies cause difficulty for the reader and reflect a weak control over basic and complex grammatical forms.
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