Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-09-11

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)

First chart shows a hundred years data of households with electrical appliances.

Washing machine graph is much stable suggesting that its a common need during all times.

Refrigerator data indicates sudden rises in early years with stability from early 80's to 2019. And data peaks at 100 households in the chart.

Vacuum cleaner chart shows uniform increase in households from 1920's to early 2000 and shows equilibrium from 2000 to 2019.

Second chart shows the number of hours of housework per week per household from 1920 to 2019 respectively.

The data suggests a sharp decline in housework hours from 1920's to 60's respectively and the trend continues till 2019 with quite slow decline.

The main reason because of this noticeable decrease in housework hours is that with advancement of technology from 1920's to this day people rely on machines like Refrigerator, vacuum cleaner and washing machine to do their housework like cleaning, preparing meals and washing clothes. Thus, supporting the charts data.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main features of both charts, but the analysis is somewhat superficial. While you identify trends like the 'sharp decline' in housework and the 'uniform increase' in vacuum cleaner ownership, the report lacks precise data points to support these observations. For instance, you mention '100 households' for the refrigerator, but the chart likely refers to percentages. Additionally, you include an explanation for the trends ('The main reason because of this...'), which is not required in an Academic Task 1 report; your focus should remain strictly on describing the data provided rather than speculating on causes. To improve, ensure you include specific figures and avoid external commentary.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is organised into two clear paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the information. However, the use of cohesive devices is quite limited and mechanical. Phrases like 'First chart' and 'Second chart' are functional but repetitive. The transition between sentences is often abrupt, and there is a lack of sophisticated linking words to connect the data points or compare the two charts effectively. To reach a higher band, try using a wider variety of cohesive devices such as 'consequently,' 'in contrast,' or 'meanwhile' to create a smoother flow between your observations.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks the precision and variety expected at higher levels. You rely on basic descriptors like 'stable,' 'increase,' and 'decline.' While these are accurate, they are used repeatedly. There are also some minor inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'much stable' (should be 'more stable') and 'equilibrium' (which is not the most natural term for a plateau in a trend line). To improve, incorporate more varied synonyms and precise collocations related to data description, such as 'fluctuated,' 'remained constant,' or 'a significant surge.'

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 distract the reader. Examples include missing articles ('First chart shows a hundred years data'), incorrect preposition usage ('reason because of this'), and awkward phrasing ('its a common need during all times'). While these errors do not completely impede communication, they demonstrate a lack of control over basic grammar. To improve, focus on article usage (a/the) and ensure subject-verb agreement is consistent throughout your writing.

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

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