Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)

The given bar graph compares the years 2007, 2011 and 2015 providing the information about the annual income of households in the USA.

Overall, it is apparent that the number of US households with an annual income $100,000 or more was highest while the number of US households with an annual income $75,000-$99,999 was lowest.

It is crystal clear that in 2007,the number of US households with an annual income $100,000 or more, $25,000-$49,999 were maximum ( 29 million and 26 million ). In 2011, the number declined to 27 million while in 2011 it rose to 28 million. In 2015, $100,000 or more and $25,000-$49,999 were 33 million and 28 million respectively. Less than $25,000 for the provided years was 25 million in 2007 and 29 million for 2011 and 2015.

$50,000-$74,999 annual income in 2007, 2011 and 2015 was 21million. The number of households with an annual income $75,000-$99,999 in 2007, 2011 and 2015 was 14 million, 13 million and 15million respectively in US.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the chart’s subject and provide an overview, noting that the $100,000-or-more group is generally among the largest and the $75,000–$99,999 group is the smallest. You also report several relevant figures, including the stable 21 million for the middle-income group. However, the overview is not fully accurate across all years: the highest category changes, with the $25,000–$49,999 group slightly larger in 2011 and the $100,000-or-more group clearly largest in 2015. Some figures and trends are also misreported: for example, the $25,000–$49,999 figure in 2007 is about 27 million, and the under-$25,000 figure in 2015 is about 28 million, not 29 million. Select and compare the main changes more precisely.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, and two paragraphs of figures. This makes the information reasonably easy to locate. However, the body does not consistently progress through the years or income groups, and the repeated phrasing “the number of US households with an annual income…” makes the report feel list-like. The sentence “In 2011… while in 2011…” repeats the year and makes the comparison difficult to follow; the second year appears to be intended as 2015. Grouping the income bands by similar trends, then using clear time references such as “by 2015” and “in contrast,” would create a more logical progression and improve cohesion.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of vocabulary for describing the chart, including “compares,” “declined,” “rose,” and “respectively.” These choices communicate the general subject and some changes in the data. However, several expressions are imprecise or repetitive: “providing the information about” is wordy, “were maximum” is not a natural way to describe the largest figures, and “It is crystal clear” is too emphatic for a neutral academic report. Repeating “the number of US households with an annual income” also limits flexibility. Use concise chart language and precise terms for rankings and movement, while keeping the tone objective.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple statements and more developed sentences, and most of the intended comparisons can be understood. However, some grammatical errors and punctuation problems reduce clarity. In “with an annual income $100,000 or more,” the phrase needs a grammatical link, such as “with an annual income of $100,000 or more.” The sentence beginning “In 2007, the number… $25,000-$49,999 were maximum” has a mismatch between its subject and verb, and the repeated “In 2011” disrupts the sentence’s time sequence. Spacing is also inconsistent, as in “2007,the” and “21million.” Practise accurate noun phrases and sentence structures for comparing multiple categories, and proofread punctuation and spacing.

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