Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)

The bar graph illustrates the number of households by their five different annual income level in the US for the years 2007, 2011 and 2015.

Overall, all income groups varied considerably over the period except $50,000 - $74,999, it remained stable in each three years, while the income level $100,000 or more hits the highest level in 2015.

In 2007, most US residents that 29 million of households earned $100,000 or more, while second highest belongs to the income group $25,000 - $49,000 at 27 million. In this year 25 million US people's income was less than $25,000 and 14 million earned $75,000 to $99,999, possessed by the smallest number of people.

In 2011, the variations among income groups were not so far. The majority of households that is 30 million earned $25,000 to $49,999, while roughly 29 millions' income was less than $25,000, indicating the second highest level. Approximately 27 million incomed more than $100,000 and $75,000 - $99,999 possessed by the smallest portion of 13 million.

In 2015, the highest number of US residents earned more than $100,000, whereas, 2nd and 3rd highest were so far compared to it at $25,000 - $49,000 by 28 miilion and less than $25,000 by 27 million, while 15 million earned $75,000 - $99,999, consisting the lowest number as usual. However, number of households who earned $50,000 to $74,000 remained same at 21 million in each three year.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You cover all three years and identify the main stable category, the rise in the highest-income group by 2015, and the generally high counts in the two lowest income bands. These are relevant features, and the overview gives the reader a useful broad picture. Some details, however, are inaccurate or unclear: in 2011 the $75,000–$99,999 group was about 14 million, not 13 million, and in 2015 the under-$25,000 group was about 28 million rather than 27 million. The statement that all groups varied considerably also conflicts with the stable $50,000–$74,999 category and understates the modest changes elsewhere. Report household figures consistently and make the overview more precise.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a clear overall arrangement: an introduction, an overview, and separate paragraphs for 2007, 2011 and 2015. This makes the year-by-year comparisons easy to follow, and linking expressions such as “while” and “whereas” help show contrasts. The organisation is coherent, though the repeated year-by-year pattern sometimes reads like a list rather than a synthesis of trends across the period. Some connections are awkward or unclear, particularly “In this year 25 million US people's income was less than $25,000” and “2nd and 3rd highest were so far compared to it.” Grouping related income bands and using clearer references to households would improve progression and cohesion.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use a reasonable range of task-related vocabulary, including “income groups,” “remained stable,” “majority,” and “highest level,” so the chart is generally understandable. There are also attempts to vary comparisons with “whereas” and “indicating.” However, several choices are inaccurate or unnatural for describing household data: “US residents” and “people” replace the chart’s unit, “incomed” is not an appropriate verb, and “possessed by the smallest number” is an awkward collocation. Spelling errors such as “miilion” also reduce accuracy. Prefer precise, natural phrases such as “the number of households earning…” and “accounted for the fewest households,” while checking spelling and income-band labels.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and complex sentences, including clauses with “while,” “whereas” and “indicating,” and the main comparisons can usually be understood. Some grammatical errors remain, especially in sentence structure and agreement. For example, “except $50,000 - $74,999, it remained stable” joins two clauses incorrectly, while “the majority of households that is 30 million” has faulty agreement and construction. The sentence beginning “In 2007, most US residents that 29 million of households earned…” is also difficult to parse. There are errors with plurals and possessives in “29 millions' income,” and punctuation around “whereas” is inconsistent. Build shorter, controlled sentences first, then add subordinate clauses accurately.

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