Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-06
IELTS Writing Task 1 question
The charts below show the changes in ownership of electrical appliances and amount of time spent doing housework in households in one country between 1920 and 2019.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Percentage of households with electrical appliances (1920-2019)
Student answer (Band 5.5)
The chart illustrates the changes in ownership of electrical appliances how many amount of time spent doing housework in households in a country between 1920 and 2019.
Overall, washing machine and vacuum cleaner consumed the highest proportion of electricity appliances, while refrigerator consumed the lowest percentage of electricity appliances. Number of hours per week graph slightly fluctuated and fall.
Refrigerator consumed only 0.1 % of electric appliances, after that it increased and climb at 90% in 1960. After that it slightly increased and reached at 100% in between 1980 and 2019. Washing machine accounted for 40%, while vacuum cleaner consumed 30% in 1920, after that both ratio were increased and reach at 70% in 1960. Vacuum cleaner ratio climb at 100% in 200 after it remained same for 2019, but washing machine ratio fall at 65% approximately in 2019.
In 1920, The household number of hours per week was 50 after that, it fall and reach at 20% in 1960. After it decreased for 12% approximately and after that, it slightly fluctuated and reach at 10 hours per week in 2019.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main features of the charts, including the trends for appliance ownership and the decline in housework hours. However, there are significant inaccuracies in data reporting. For example, you state the refrigerator reached 100% in 1980, but the graph shows this occurred later. Furthermore, you describe the vacuum cleaner reaching 100% in '200', which is a clear typographical error. The overview is somewhat confusing, as you refer to appliances 'consuming' percentages, which is an incorrect interpretation of the data (ownership vs. energy consumption). To improve, ensure you accurately interpret the labels and provide a more precise summary of the trends.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is often repetitive or mechanical, such as the frequent use of 'after that'. Some transitions are awkward, such as 'after it decreased for 12% approximately and after that'. The progression of ideas is sometimes hindered by these repetitive structures and unclear referencing. To reach a higher band, try to vary your linking words and ensure that each sentence flows logically into the next without relying on the same transition phrases repeatedly.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is limited and sometimes inaccurate. You frequently use the word 'consumed' to describe ownership percentages, which is incorrect; 'ownership' or 'percentage of households' would be more appropriate. There are also issues with word choice, such as 'Number of hours per week graph', which is not idiomatic. While you attempt to use some descriptive verbs like 'fluctuated' and 'climbed', the overall range is narrow. Focus on using more precise terminology related to data description and avoid repeating the same verbs throughout the text.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Examples include 'washing machine and vacuum cleaner consumed the highest proportion' (missing articles) and 'both ratio were increased' (subject-verb agreement). There are also issues with tense consistency and preposition usage, such as 'reached at 100%'. While the meaning is generally understandable, the frequency of these errors prevents the writing from reaching a higher band. Focus on proofreading for basic subject-verb agreement and article usage.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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