Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-21

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 compares the years 2007, 2011 and 2015 providing the information of households annual income in the USA.

Overall, it is apparent that number of households with annual income $100,00 or more were too much in America, while Americans with annual income less than $25,000 were least in the given years.

It is crystal clear that in 2007, number of US households with annual income $100,000 or more were maximum, $75,000-$99,999 were minimum ( 29 millions and 14 millions). In 2011, it declined to 27 million, in 2006 it rase to 28 millions. In 2015, Number of households by annual income $100,000 or more and $75,000-$99,999 were 33 millions and 15 millions respectively. Number of households by annual income $50,000-$74,999 in 2007, 2011, 2015 were 21 millions.

Number of households by annual income $25,000-$49,999 were 27 millions, 30 millions and 28 millions in 2007, 2011 and 2015 respectively.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the chart’s subject and report several relevant comparisons, including the stable figure of 21 million for the $50,000–$74,999 group and the rise in the $100,000-or-more category by 2015. However, the overview is inaccurate: households earning under $25,000 were not the least numerous; the $75,000–$99,999 group was lowest in each year. The claim that the highest-income group was “too much” is also unclear, and the response does not summarise the main overall pattern reliably. There is a significant date error (“in 2006”) and some figures are imprecise. To strengthen the report, give a clear overview of the key trends and check each year and category against the chart.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has a basic structure, with an introduction, an overview, and paragraphs reporting figures. It also groups some information by income category, which helps the reader follow the comparisons. However, progression is limited: the report moves from the highest-income group to the $75,000–$99,999 group, then to the middle and lower-middle categories without a clear organising principle. The repeated opening “Number of households by annual income…” makes the final paragraph feel disconnected, and “In 2011… in 2006…” interrupts the timeline. Use a consistent approach, such as comparing each income band across all three years, and use accurate time references and linking phrases to make the sequence clearer.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant chart vocabulary, including “bar graph,” “annual income,” “declined,” and “maximum,” so the topic is generally understandable. However, the range is limited and several expressions are unnatural or imprecise, such as “providing the information of households annual income,” “were too much,” and “were maximum.” Repetition of “number of households by annual income” also reduces flexibility. There are spelling and word-form errors, including “rase,” and the income categories would be clearer if consistently described as households “earning” a particular amount. Aim for precise reporting verbs and natural collocations rather than emphatic phrases such as “It is crystal clear.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response uses mostly simple sentence patterns, with a few attempts to combine information, but the range is limited and errors occur frequently. For example, “number of households … were maximum” has problems with the article and agreement, while “In 2011, it declined to 27 million, in 2006 it rase…” joins separate time references without clear punctuation or a correct verb form. The opening sentence also lacks a possessive in “households annual income,” and several category descriptions omit articles or use awkward sentence structures. These errors sometimes make the intended comparison harder to follow. Practise accurate subject–verb agreement, articles, and punctuation, then build controlled complex sentences using “while” or “whereas” to compare years.

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