Band 4.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-11-05

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 chart illustrate the number of households in the US by their annual income in 2007, 2011 and 2015.

Overall, it is noticeable that highest households in 2015 and lowest number of households in 2007.

In 2015 households above 30 million and in 2007 below 30 million. If we compare all the years then we analize that only in 2015 ratio increase of households. In 2007 to 2011 overall same.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 3.0

The response identifies the chart’s subject and attempts an overview, but it does not report the main features accurately or clearly. The claim that the “highest households” were in 2015 and the “lowest” in 2007 is too broad: the chart has five income groups, and the highest figure is for households earning $100,000 or more in 2015, while the lowest is for the $75,000–$99,999 group in 2011. The statement that only in 2015 did the number increase also overlooks the rises in several groups between 2007 and 2011. The response is substantially below the required 150 words, with 54 words; the 16 words copied from the prompt are not counted. Add accurate comparisons and supporting figures for the income bands across the years.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5

There is a basic sequence: an introduction is followed by an overview and a brief comparison. The opening sentence establishes the topic, and “Overall” signals an attempt to summarise the chart. However, the response is too short to develop a clear progression through the five income categories, and the comparisons are difficult to follow. For example, “In 2015 households above 30 million and in 2007 below 30 million” does not specify which income group these figures refer to. The final sentence, “In 2007 to 2011 overall same,” does not connect clearly to the preceding claim. Organise the report into an overview and detail paragraphs, grouping categories with similar trends and using clear references to each income band.

Lexical Resource: Band 4.5

The response uses a small set of relevant terms, including “households,” “annual income,” “compare,” and “increase,” so the general topic is recognisable. However, the vocabulary is repetitive and often imprecise for describing a chart. Phrases such as “highest households” and “ratio increase of households” do not clearly express the number of households or a change in that number. “Overall same” is also too vague to describe the trends. Use precise chart language such as “the largest number,” “the figure rose,” “remained stable,” and “income group.” Naming the income bands and using terms such as “approximately” with figures would make the comparisons more informative and accurate.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

The response attempts several simple sentence forms and uses a basic linking expression in “If we compare all the years.” However, grammatical control is inconsistent, and the short response offers little evidence of a wider range of structures. In “The chart illustrate,” the subject and verb do not agree; “it is noticeable that highest households” is missing an article and has an incomplete construction; and “In 2015 households above 30 million” lacks a verb. The phrase “In 2007 to 2011 overall same” is also not a complete sentence. Practise complete comparative sentences, for example, “The number in this category rose from about 25 million in 2007 to 28.5 million in 2011.” Check agreement, articles, and sentence completeness.

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

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