Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-29

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 7.5)

The two line charts illustrate changes in household electrical appliance ownership and the time spent on housework in one country between 1920 and 2019.

In 1920, ownership of electrical appliances was relatively low. Only a small percentage of households owned refrigerators, whereas 30% possessed vacuum cleaners and 40% had washing machines. By 1940, there was a dramatic rise in refrigerator ownership to 55%, while ownership of washing machines and vacuum cleaners saw steady growth. Although washing machine ownership continued to increase gradually until 1960, it then plateaued and experienced a slight dip before stabilizing around 2019. Refrigerator ownership maintained steady growth from 1960 until it reached saturation (100%) around 1980. Similarly, vacuum cleaner ownership grew steadily until every household had one by 2019.

Regarding housework, the second chart shows a significant decline in the number of hours spent on domestic tasks over the period. In 1920, households spent almost 50 hours per week on housework, including washing clothes, preparing meals, and cleaning. This figure dropped sharply over the decades, reaching approximately 10 to 12 hours per week by 2019.

Overall, the data suggests that increased ownership of electrical appliances correlates with a substantial reduction in the time spent on housework over the last century.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response effectively addresses all parts of the task. You have clearly identified the main trends for both appliance ownership and the reduction in housework hours. The comparison between the two datasets is well-integrated, particularly in the concluding summary. You have selected key features, such as the saturation points for appliances and the sharp decline in time spent on domestic chores, which provides a comprehensive overview. The information is accurate based on the provided charts, and the response maintains a clear focus throughout, meeting all requirements for a high-band performance.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, body paragraphs that group information thematically, and a concise summary. Cohesive devices such as 'whereas', 'although', 'similarly', and 'regarding' are used effectively to guide the reader through the data. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the two distinct charts, and the progression of ideas within each paragraph is smooth. The relationship between the two charts is clearly articulated, ensuring the text flows well from start to finish.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic report. Phrases like 'dramatic rise', 'steady growth', 'plateaued', and 'saturation' are used accurately to describe trends. The language is precise and fits the context of the task well. While the vocabulary is effective and natural, it could be pushed further into the 'less common' range to reach the highest band, but it is certainly sufficient for a strong score. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or collocation.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The response displays a variety of complex sentence structures, such as the use of subordinate clauses ('Although washing machine ownership continued to increase...') and participial phrases. The grammar is highly accurate, with no significant errors that impede communication. Punctuation is used correctly throughout. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and you show good control over tense usage when describing historical data and trends over time. This level of accuracy and range is consistent with a high band score.

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

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