Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-09

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 6.0)

The bar chart illustrates the number of householdes in the United States by their annual income in three different years, in 2007,2011 and 2015.

Overall, income with $100,000 or more, between $25000 and $49,999 and less than $25,000 were the greatest number of households. In contrast, income between $75,000 and $99,999 was the lowest number of households. Income between $50,000 and $74,999 remained unstable throughout the period.

In 2007, income level less than $25,000 was on 25 millions households, this figure increased in 2011 and reached around 28 millions, but decreased in 2015 to around 25 millions. In 2007, income between $25,000 and $49,999 had second largest number of households, around 27 millions, it increased in 2011 and reached 30 millions, but decreased slightly in 2015 and reached approximately 28 millions.

Income betwen $50,000 and $74,999 remained unchanged throughout the period. In 2007, income between $75,000 and $99,999 was on 14 millions, then decreased in 2011 to 13 millions and then ncreased in 2015 and reached 15 millions.

In 2007, income with $100,000 or more was on top, around 29 millions, it decreased in 2011 and reached 26 milions. In 2015 this figure increased and reached of peak , around 33 million.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You cover all five income groups and provide a clear overview, identifying the highest household counts in the $100,000-or-more group and the lowest in the $75,000–$99,999 group. You also report the broad patterns for most categories. However, some details are inaccurate: the under-$25,000 figure in 2015 was about 28 million, not 25 million, and the $75,000–$99,999 group was about 14 million in 2011, rather than 13 million. The overview also says the $50,000–$74,999 group was “unstable,” although it remained unchanged. To make the report more precise, distinguish the categories’ trends accurately and compare the notable rise in the highest-income group by 2015 with the relatively stable middle-income group.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a coherent overall structure: an introduction, an overview, and two paragraphs describing the figures. Grouping the first two income bands together and then discussing the remaining categories helps the reader follow the chart. However, the progression within the detail paragraphs is sometimes mechanical, with repeated openings such as “In 2007” and repeated use of “increased” and “decreased.” Some long sentences join separate observations with commas, making the relationships between points less clear. Use a wider range of comparisons and linking structures, and separate complete ideas where needed. The overview could also guide the detail more clearly by highlighting the main contrast between the high-income group’s 2015 peak and the stable $50,000–$74,999 category.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of chart-related vocabulary, including “remained unchanged,” “increased,” “decreased slightly,” and “reached a peak,” so the main trends are generally understandable. There are, however, some inaccurate or unnatural choices: “income with” and “was on 25 millions” do not express household totals naturally, while “remained unstable” contradicts the unchanged figures. Spelling slips such as “householdes,” “betwen,” and “milions” also reduce accuracy. Aim for precise collocations such as “the number of households earning…” and “stood at approximately…”. Take care to use “stable” only when figures do not change, and reserve “peak” for the highest point in a series.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and more complex sentence forms, including clauses linked with “but” and time expressions such as “then.” The meaning is usually clear, but some grammatical errors recur. For example, “this figure increased in 2011 and reached around 28 millions, but decreased…” has an unclear subject for the final verb, and several sentences join independent clauses with commas, as in the sentence beginning “In 2007, income between $25,000 and $49,999…”. There are also problems with articles and prepositions in phrases such as “reached of peak.” Use complete, clearly punctuated sentences, check subject–verb relationships, and practise accurate forms such as “the figure stood at 25 million” and “reached a peak.”

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