The chart below shows the number of households in the US by their annual income in 2007, 2011 and 2015.

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Sample Response

1

The bar chartcharts illustratespresents the number of households in the US across different annual income groups in 2007, 2011, and 2015.2011 and 2015.

2

Overall, households earning between $50000 and $74999 and those earning between $75000 and $99999 were consistently the two smallest income groups. Households earning over $100000 were the largest group except in 2011.

3

The number of households earning between $75000 and $99999 was the smallest income group across the three years examinedacross three different years. This figure remained steady between approximately 14 million and 15 millionplateaued between approximately 13 million and 15 million . Households earning between $50000 and $74999 were always the second smallest income group, remaining at around 21 million.

4

The number of households earning over $100000 varied moderatelyfluctuated dramatically during the period. This figure fell from about 30 million to about 27 million between 2007 and 2011 before rebounding to its peak of nearlyapproximately 33 million in 2015. The number of households earning less than $25,000below $25000 and those earning between $25000 and $49999 followed a similar patternhad almost the same trend. Both figures had a significant increase from 2007 to 2011, reaching about 28 million and 30 million respectively before decreasing slightly to about 27 million and 28million respectively. Those two figures overtook the number of households earning over $100000 in 2011.

Overall assessment

Why this response received Band 7.0

The report effectively summarizes key patterns across the income categories with clear statistical comparisons and an accurate overview. Minor inaccuracies in tone such as overstating moderate trends as dramatic fluctuations slightly reduce precision, while occasional agreement and formatting errors are present. Refining data vocabulary and maintaining consistent grammatical accuracy will elevate overall quality.

Band score breakdown

IELTS Writing Criteria Scores

TA

Task Achievement

7.0
Scoring rule

Key trends and major features across all income brackets and years are accurately highlighted alongside a clear overview.

Next step

Avoid hyperbolic descriptions like dramatic fluctuation for modest shifts to ensure factual tone consistency.

CC

Coherence and Cohesion

7.0
Scoring rule

Information is logically grouped by income brackets with a clear progression throughout the report.

Next step

Vary cohesive linking devices across body paragraphs to create more fluid transitions between comparisons.

LR

Lexical Resource

7.0
Scoring rule

A good range of descriptive vocabulary is used to convey trends, peaks, and comparisons.

Next step

Select more precise trend verbs that accurately match the magnitude of data changes shown.

GRA

Grammatical Range and Accuracy

7.0
Scoring rule

A variety of complex structures is attempted with good control overall despite minor grammatical errors.

Next step

Proofread subject-verb agreement and spacing around numeric data to eliminate small slips.