Examiner Comments
- This report provides a clear and accurate description of the number of US households across different income categories between 2007 and 2015.
- Introduction: paraphrases the task effectively.
- A clear overview: Identifies the main trends, such as growth at both ends of the income scale and stability in the middle categories.
- Data is selected and compared appropriately, with precise figures included throughout.
- Supports the analysis without unnecessary detail.
- Well organised, with a logical structure:
- Overview presented first.
- Analysis of high and low income groups.
- Middle categories described last.
- Grouping ensures balance and avoids a mechanical description of each bar.
- A good range of cohesive devices are used appropriately: “focusing first,” “despite,” “a similar upward trend,” “with regard to.”
- Referencing, e.g. “those in the under-$25,000 bracket,” makes the writing flow naturally.
- Vocabulary is varied and precise, showing strong control of academic style.
- Effective use of academic expressions:
- “marked increases”
- “substantial growth”
- “despite a dip”
- “comparatively less variation”
- “slipped back”
- “consistently represented the smallest group”
- Synonyms are used to avoid repetition, e.g. different terms for households and income brackets.
- No spelling or word choice errors.
- Makes use of a wide range of both simple and complex structures with a high level of accuracy.
- Examples include:
- Complex clauses: “despite a dip of about 2 million in 2011”
- Passive forms: “is classified by total annual income”
- Adverbial phrases: “at the upper end,” “with regard to.”
- Grammar is consistently accurate.
- Variety of sentence structures enhances clarity and sophistication.
Useful Vocabulary
Increased in size, number, or importance.
Overall, both the lowest- and highest-earning groups grew over the eight year period, whereas middle-income categories showed little change.
Important, notable, or considerable.
By 2015, households earning $100,000 or more made up the largest group, recording the most significant increase of all brackets.
Became larger or more extensive.
Focusing first on the ranges that expanded, there were marked increases at both ends of the scale.
Noticeable or considerable rises.
Focusing first on the ranges that expanded, there were marked increases at both ends of the scale.
A small temporary decrease.
At the upper end, households with annual incomes above $100,000 showed the most substantial growth rising from just under 30 million in 2007 to around 34 million in 2015, despite a dip of about 2 million in 2011.
Moving or directed towards a higher point.
A similar upward trend occurred at the lower end, where those in the less than $25,000 bracket grew from 25 million in 2007 to around 29 million in 2011, before falling slightly to just below that figure in 2015.
A change, difference, or diversity in amount or condition.
With regard to the middle-income categories, comparatively less variation was observed.
Declined or returned to a lower level.
Units with annual earnings between $25,000 and $49,999 rose slightly from about 26 to 30 million in the first four years, but slipped back to roughly 29 million in 2015.
Gradually moving towards or approaching a higher level.
Those in the $50,000–$74,999 range remained almost unchanged at just over 20 million throughout, while the $75,000–$99,999 bracket consistently represented the smallest group, holding at just under 15 million in 2007 and 2011 and edging up to reach the 15 million mark in 2015.
