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)

The charts illustrates the number of households in the united states be their annual income in 2007,20011 and 2015.

overall, the chart shows us fluctuion over the time and a sligjhtly increased and decreased as well.

In 20007,under the 25000 annual income were 25million which gradually increased over the time and reached to almost 29million in 20011 after passing few years its shows slightly decreased to 27million in 2015. the 25000 to 49999 anual income holders were 26million in 2007 which gradually increased to almost 30million in 2011 after that it slightly decreased to 28million in 2015. 50000 to [redacted phone] annual income holders were 21million in 2007 slightly increased to 22million in 2011 and remains constant in 2015.

75000 to 99999 annual income holders was 14 million in 2007 which slightly decreased to 13 million in 20011 and the increased a bit to almost 15 million in 2015. 100,0000 ot more annual income holders was 29 million in 2007 which moderately declind to 27 million in 20011 but after that its sharply grow up and reached to 33 million in 2015.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You cover all five income groups and describe the broad movement across the three years, including the rise in the $100,000-or-more group by 2015. However, the overview is too general: “fluctuation over the time” does not identify the main contrasts, such as the highest-income group becoming the largest in 2015 or the $50,000–$74,999 group remaining stable. Several figures are also inaccurate: the $25,000–$49,999 group is about 27 million in 2007, not 26 million; the middle group stays near 21 million rather than rising to 22; and the $75,000–$99,999 group is about 14 million in 2011, not 13. More precise selection and reporting of key features would strengthen the response.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, a brief overview, and a paragraph describing the income categories. The sequence generally follows the chart’s years and groups, so the reader can trace the comparisons. However, the overview is not sufficiently informative, and most details are packed into one long paragraph. Repeated patterns such as “which gradually increased… after that it slightly decreased” make the progression mechanical, while links between categories are limited. Use separate body paragraphs to group related trends—for example, the two lower-income groups and the higher-income groups—and use clearer contrasts such as “by comparison” or “whereas.” This would make the organisation more purposeful and the relationships between figures easier to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use relevant chart vocabulary, including “increased,” “decreased,” “remains constant,” and “reached,” and you attempt to describe the size and direction of changes. However, the range is limited and several choices or forms are inaccurate, which sometimes makes the meaning less clear. Phrases such as “annual income holders” are awkward for describing household categories, and “sharply grow up” is not a natural collocation. There are also noticeable spelling errors, including “fluctuion,” “declind,” and “sligjhtly.” Aim for accurate, conventional reporting language and vary the verbs without forcing unfamiliar expressions. For example, describe a figure as “rose to” or “fell to,” rather than “grow up.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt longer sentences to compare changes over time, but the response relies heavily on repeated simple patterns joined together, and errors are frequent enough to affect clarity. For example, “the charts illustrates” has a subject–verb agreement error, while “which gradually increased… after passing few years its shows” contains faulty clause construction and tense control. Other examples include “were 25million” and “holders was,” where agreement and sentence structure need attention. Punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly around year references and sentence boundaries. Practise building accurate comparison sentences with a clear subject and verb, such as “The figure rose from about 25 million in 2007 to 28.5 million in 2011, before edging down in 2015.”

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.