Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-15

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 5.0)

The given bar graph demonstrates the number of households in the US as per their annual income in the years 2007, 2011 and 2015.

Overall, the graph indicates that in 2007 most households had an annual income of $100,000 or more while in 2011 most had a networth of $ 25000 to $ 49999. In 2015, majority of the households possessed an annual income of $[redacted phone] or more.

A glance at the graph, shows that almost 30 households had an income of more than $[redacted phone] or more while only 14 households had income ranging between $75000 to $99999.

On the other hand, the year 2011 showcased a majority of 30 households possessing income between $25000 to $49999 with the minority of less than 15 houses having an income of upto 10000 or more.

During the year 2015, more than 30 houses portrayed an income of $[redacted phone] or more whereas annual income ranging between $75000- $99999 was shown by only 15 houses.

To conclude, all three years showed that a majority of households show an income of $[redacted phone] or more while minority had a common income of $75000 to $99999 while those households with income of $50000 to $74999 remain constant all three years.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.0

The response identifies the three years and attempts an overview, but it does not report the chart’s main patterns accurately enough. The claim that households earning $100,000 or more were the majority in all three years is incorrect: this group was largest only in 2007 and 2015, while the $25,000–$49,999 group was largest in 2011. The statement that this latter group had “30 households” in 2011 is close, but the chart measures millions. Some comparisons are relevant, such as noting the stable $50,000–$74,999 category, yet the conclusion repeats the inaccurate majority claim. There is also a serious misreading of the 2011 lowest category as “upto 10000 or more.” Select the key trends and describe them precisely.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, year-based details and a concluding sentence. This gives the reader some organisation, and phrases such as “On the other hand” and “During the year 2015” signal movement between points. However, progression is weakened by repetition: the overview, body and conclusion repeatedly state that the highest-income group was the majority, without adding a clearer comparison. The year-by-year paragraphs also focus on only two categories each, so the overall pattern across all five income bands is difficult to follow. “To conclude” introduces a repeated summary rather than a useful final comparison. Grouping categories by trend, and using clearer references to the income bands, would make the information more coherent.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The response uses a reasonable range of task-related vocabulary, including “annual income,” “ranging between,” “majority,” and “remain constant.” These choices make the general subject clear. However, several expressions are imprecise or unsuitable for describing the chart: “networth” is not the same as annual income, “houses” should be “households,” and “portrayed an income” is an unnatural collocation. The repeated use of “majority” also overstates the data, while “common income” does not clearly describe a category with a similar number of households. Use consistent, accurate terms such as “households,” “income bracket,” and “number of households,” and avoid decorative wording when a direct description is clearer.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The response attempts both simple and more extended sentence forms, and most of its meaning can be followed. There are, however, recurring problems with sentence construction and punctuation. In “A glance at the graph, shows,” the comma incorrectly separates the subject from the verb. “While annual income ranging between … was shown” lacks a clear finite verb, and “those households … remain constant” shifts tense and uses an incorrect agreement pattern for the past data. The sentence beginning “Overall” also has an awkward structure around “while in 2011 most had.” These errors do not usually prevent understanding, but they reduce control. Practise complete clauses, consistent past-tense reporting, and punctuation that keeps subjects and verbs together.

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