Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-05

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 chart illustrates the number of households in the US by their annual income in 2007, 2011, and 2015.

Overall, The chart shows that those citizens were higher and stable whose annual income was around $[redacted phone] or more, individuals with $75000-$99999 income had least number among all categaries given in chart, while those whose income was around $50000-$74999 were remain at 2nd least position all the years. Remaining two categaries remains unultered with the income of 25000$-$49999 and those whose income is less than $25000 annaully respectivily.

Looking at the details, People with at least $[redacted phone] annuall income was at the top level with the number of around 30 million households in 2011, but the number slighlty decreased in 2011, however, it returned back to its top level and by the end it reached at around 33 million households. Those whose annual income was between $75000-$99999 and $50000-$[redacted phone] remains steadily without any bigchange, the number of households remains unchanged in all three years with around 15 million and 20 million households respectivily.

In 2011, people with income between $25000-$49999, were around 25 million, with little growth the number of households reached at 30 million by 2011, however, again fall back and the number reached around 26 million. Individuals with less than $25000 were around 25 million, but by 2011 they reached at 29 million but also falls back by 2015 with the number of 26 million.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

The response addresses the task by providing an overview and mentioning some main features of the US household income chart, such as the highest income bracket and general trends. However, the information is only partially addressed, and several data points are misreported or confused. For instance, the student states that people earning $100,000 or more were at 'around 30 million households in 2011, but the number slighlty decreased in 2011', which is contradictory and inaccurate based on the chart where the figure is actually 27.5 million in 2011. Furthermore, there are multiple arithmetic and visual errors regarding the other categories, showing limited extension and under-developed ideas. To reach a higher level, the student must ensure that figures and comparisons are accurately read from the chart and clearly presented without internal contradictions.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The text shows some organisation with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a concluding overview structure, but there is no clear overall progression due to confusing sequencing and referencing errors. Cohesive devices are used mechanically or inaccurately, such as the repetitive use of 'however' and 'remain' without proper structural connection. For example, sentences like 'Remaining two categaries remains unultered with the income of 25000-$49999 and those whose income is less than $25000 annaully respectivily' lack clear logical links and reference points. Paragraphing is attempted, but ideas within the paragraphs jump awkwardly between years and income brackets. To improve, the student should use logical connectors more naturally and group related data together to create a smooth, easy-to-follow narrative.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The vocabulary range is limited but minimally adequate to describe the basic shapes and trends in the chart. The student makes noticeable errors in word choice, spelling, and word forms, such as 'categaries' instead of 'categories', 'unaltered' instead of 'unaltered', and 'annuall' instead of 'annual'. There is also awkward collocation, such as 'least number among all categaries'. These lexical inaccuracies and spelling slips cause some difficulty for the reader and prevent the response from achieving a higher band. To enhance lexical resource, the student should expand their range of descriptive vocabulary for trends and double-check spelling and word forms before final submission.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response demonstrates a limited range of grammatical structures, relying heavily on simple or attempted complex sentences that are frequently faulty. There are frequent errors in subject-verb agreement and tense consistency, such as 'those citizens were higher and stable whose annual income was...', 'were remain at 2nd least position', and 'the number of households remains unchanged... with around 15 million and 20 million households respectivily'. Punctuation and articles are also handled inconsistently throughout the text. These frequent errors distract the reader and require a concerted effort to decode the intended meaning. To improve, the student needs to focus on mastering basic sentence construction, verb tense agreement, and accurate prepositions.

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

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