Band 4.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-23

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 4.0)

The given bar chart illustrates the household in thew U.S. by their annual income in 2007.

In 2007, 25 million of households earns less than $ 25,000 whereas 28 million of households earned $ 25,000-49,999 whereas 22 millions of citizens are earning $ 50,000 -74,999 whereas 15 million households earned $ 50,000 -$ 74,999 whereas in 2011, 28 million of households earned less than $ 25,000 and 30 million people earned $ 25,000-$ 49,999 whereas 20 million of households earned $ 50,000 -74,999

whereas 14 million

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 3.0

The response identifies the chart’s subject and reports some relevant figures for 2007 and 2011, including the lower-income groups. However, it does not summarise the main features: there is no overview, no account of 2015, and no comparison of the overall pattern across all three years. Some figures or categories are also inaccurate or unclear: the $50,000–$74,999 group is given as 22 million in 2007 and 20 million in 2011, rather than about 21 million in both years, and the $75,000–$99,999 category is mistakenly repeated as $50,000–$74,999. The response is also 64 words below the required minimum. To improve, include a concise overview and select accurate comparisons covering all years and income bands.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 3.5

There is a basic attempt to organise the information chronologically, beginning with 2007 and then moving to 2011. However, the response is presented as one long, unfinished paragraph, so the reader cannot easily distinguish an introduction, an overview, or detailed comparisons. Repeated use of “whereas” creates a mechanical list rather than a clear progression, and the final phrase “whereas 14 million” is incomplete and leaves the information unresolved. Use separate paragraphs for the introduction and overview, followed by grouped details, and connect comparisons with a wider range of clear linking expressions. This would make the limited information easier to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

The response uses some relevant task vocabulary, including “bar chart,” “annual income,” “households,” and “earned,” and the income ranges are generally recognisable. However, the range is limited and several choices are imprecise for describing the chart. “Citizens” and “people” are used where the data refer to households, which changes the unit being described; “the household” is also an awkward description of the chart’s subject. The repeated “whereas” does little beyond linking figures and makes the wording repetitive. Aim for precise chart language such as “the number of households,” “income bracket,” “stood at,” and “rose to,” while keeping the categories consistent.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

The response attempts to combine several comparisons in longer sentences, but control is uneven and the sentence structures are repetitive. For example, “25 million of households earns” has a subject–verb agreement error, while “22 millions of citizens are earning” uses an incorrect plural form and an unsuitable tense for reporting historical data. The long sequence of clauses joined by “whereas” lacks clear punctuation, and the final “whereas 14 million” is not a complete sentence. Use past simple consistently for the years shown, check agreement and singular/plural forms, and divide the figures into shorter, complete sentences. A few accurately controlled complex comparisons would improve clarity.

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