Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-27
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 line graph illustrates the changes in the ownership of electrical appliances (as a percentage) and the amount of time ( in hours) spent doing housework in households in a country between 1920 and 2019.
Overall, the ownership of electrical appliances showed fluctuated trend throughout the period. Meanwhile, the number of hours of house work showed a downward trend.
In 1940, ownership of washing machine was at peak at 40%, while vacuum cleaner followed 0% and refrigerator was at 30%. Vacuum cleaner ownership jumped at 90% in 1960, meanwhile, refrigerator and washing machine followed 70%. In 2000, the ownership of refrigerator and vacuum cleaner at peaked with 100% and remained stable in 2019
Conversely, Washing machines experienced decline until 1980 at approximately 60%, however steadily rose until 2019 at approximately 65%.
The number of work hours per week experienced decline throughout the period
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which significantly impacts the score. While you have identified the main trends, the analysis is incomplete. You mention the 'number of work hours' in the final sentence but fail to provide any specific data points or comparisons from the graph, which is a key requirement of the task. Furthermore, some data points are inaccurate or poorly described, such as claiming vacuum cleaner ownership was at 0% in 1940, which is not supported by the visual data. To improve, ensure all categories are described with accurate data and that the relationship between appliance ownership and housework time is clearly explored.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into paragraphs, which is a positive start. However, the progression of ideas is disjointed. The use of cohesive devices is limited and sometimes mechanical, such as the repetitive use of 'in 1940', 'in 1960', and 'in 2000'. The final paragraph regarding housework hours is extremely underdeveloped and lacks a clear connection to the preceding information. To improve, use a wider variety of linking words (e.g., 'subsequently', 'in contrast', 'furthermore') to connect your sentences and ensure that each paragraph has a clear topic sentence that guides the reader through the data.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally functional but lacks the precision required for a higher band. You use basic phrases like 'showed fluctuated trend' (which is grammatically incorrect) and 'jumped at 90%'. There is also a lack of variety in reporting verbs and descriptors. To improve, focus on using more sophisticated collocations for describing trends, such as 'experienced a fluctuating trend' or 'reached a peak of'. Avoid repeating the same sentence structures and try to incorporate more precise terminology related to data reporting, such as 'plateaued', 'surged', or 'a marginal decline'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
There are several grammatical errors that hinder the flow of the text. For example, 'ownership of washing machine was at peak' should be 'the ownership of washing machines was at its peak'. You also have issues with article usage ('the' is often missing) and tense consistency. The sentence 'Vacuum cleaner ownership jumped at 90%' is awkward; 'to 90%' would be more accurate. While you attempt some complex structures, they are often marred by errors. Focus on mastering basic subject-verb agreement and the correct use of articles to improve the clarity and accuracy of your writing.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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