Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-25

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)

Let us summarize the chart in detail.If we take a look in all the given year [2007, 2011, 2015] for less than $25,000 then the least number holds in year 2007 which is upto 25. And the highest holds in the year of 2011 which is nearly around 28. Now if we look for $25,000- $49,999 then the highest number of US households[in million], by annual income are in the year 2011, which is nearly around 30. and the least number of US households [in million], by annual income is in the year 2007, and the number is 27. Also if i talk about the highest and the least value for the $50,000-$74,999 then it is equal in all the given year.Now let us take a view on the the comparing year of number of households for$75,000- $99,999 is in the year 2015 with highest position of 15. And the least position is in the year of 2011 with 13. Now last but not the least for $100,000 or more is at the highest position in year is 2015 which holds upto 33. And the least position is in the year of 2011 whic is 27.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You report several relevant figures and identify genuine highs and lows, including the 2011 peak for the two lower income groups and the 2015 peak for households earning $100,000 or more. However, the response mainly lists category-by-category extremes rather than summarising the chart’s main patterns. It lacks a clear overview, such as noting that the $100,000+ group was largest in 2007 and 2015, while the $50,000–$74,999 group stayed stable. Some figures are inaccurate: the 2015 value for under $25,000 is about 28 million, not the highest year’s 2011 figure of about 28.5; the 2011 figure for $75,000–$99,999 is about 14 million, not 13. Select the most important comparisons and report them accurately.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response follows a recognisable sequence through the five income bands, and phrases such as “Now” and “Also” help signal movement between categories. However, the organisation is largely a repeated list of highest and lowest values, rather than a clear progression from an overview to supporting details. There are no distinct paragraphs, and the opening, “Let us summarize the chart in detail,” does not provide the reader with a main-feature summary. Some linking is mechanical or awkward, as in “Now last but not the least.” Group the information into an introduction and overview, followed by comparisons of related income bands, and use linking phrases to show meaningful contrasts rather than simply announce the next category.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant chart vocabulary, including “highest,” “least,” “number of US households,” and “annual income,” so the subject is generally clear. However, the range is limited and several expressions are repeated or unnatural, such as “holds in year,” “highest position,” and “take a view on the comparing year.” These phrases make the description less precise and less natural for an academic report. There are also spelling and presentation slips, including “whic,” and inconsistent spacing around figures and punctuation. Use standard reporting language such as “stood at,” “reached a peak,” “was lowest,” and “remained stable,” while varying the wording and keeping the income categories clearly labelled.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The response attempts longer sentences using clauses such as “if we take a look” and “which holds,” but these structures are often awkward or incomplete, and most sentences follow a similar pattern. Errors include “the least number holds in year 2007,” where the verb and article pattern are faulty, and “the highest number … are in the year 2011,” where subject–verb agreement is incorrect. Punctuation and sentence boundaries also need attention: “2011, 2015] for less than $25,000” runs directly into the next sentence, and “2011, which is nearly around 30. and” incorrectly begins a new sentence with a lowercase conjunction. Practise concise comparisons with accurate past-tense verbs and consistent punctuation.

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