The chart below shows the number of households in the US by their annual income in 2007, 2011 and 2015.
This response is estimated at Band 5.5. Can you write a better one?
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Sample Response
The chart provides a breakdown of the number of households based on the annual income in years 2007, 2011 and 2015.
Overall, families with the yearly income of more thanthat 100,000 dollars reported the highest number in years 2007 and 20152025, which is in sharp contrast with households with the salary between 75,000 and 99,999 dollars.
In 2007, families with the income more than 100,000 dollars and 25,000-49,999 dollars reported the highest number, which showed a slight fluctuationfluctuage in 2011 and 2015. HouseholdsHousholdes with 100,000 recorded a gradual decrease in number, from nearly 30 million to roughly 27 million, before rising to its overallintermediate peak, approximately 34 million, in 2015. As for the people with the salary of 25,000-49,999 dollars, the number grew marginally to by the year 2011, before dropping to nearly 28 million households in 2015.
Furthermore, familiesfamielies with an income of less that 25,000 dollars also showed irregularirregullar changes throughout the years. Starting from 35 million households the number reached nearly 30 million in 2011, which was followed by slight drop to approximately 27 million families.
In contrastcotrast, people with the income of 50,000-74,999 dollars remained stable, standing at roughlyrougghly 21 million, during the years. LastlyLasly, families with annual salary of 75,000-99,999000 are at the lowest point of the graph , at roughly 15 million households, and did notdidn't report any major changes in following years.
Why this response received Band 5.5
The essay successfully attempts to describe key features and trends across the given years, but accuracy is impaired by severe data misinterpretations. While the overall structure is logical, frequent spelling mistakes and grammatical errors noticeably affect readability. Double-checking figure readings against the visual source and refining basic grammar and spelling will yield the highest performance gains.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Achievement
The response identifies key income groups, but it contains major data inaccuracies, such as misreading the starting figure for the lowest income group and inserting an incorrect year in the overview.
Carefully double-check bar figures against the axis and ensure key years and numbers are accurately transcribed.
Coherence and Cohesion
Paragraphing is logical and the information generally progresses clearly, though minor linking and transition slips occur.
Ensure transitions and contrast markers are correctly spelled and placed cleanly between clauses.
Lexical Resource
A range of task-relevant vocabulary is used, but noticeable spelling mistakes and awkward word choices recur throughout the response.
Proofread systematically for common typos and practice correct word forms like using the noun fluctuation instead of invented words.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
While complex structures are attempted, frequent grammatical errors in preposition use, word forms, and article inclusion reduce overall accuracy.
Focus on correctly structuring prepositions and nouns in comparative phrases, such as grew marginally by 2011 rather than garbled preposition combinations.