Ielts Academic Writing Task 1 Sample 69

You should spend a maximum of 20 minutes on this task. Write about the following topic: 

The image provides information about comparison of the annual income required to afford a median-priced home in the U.S. to the median household income in the country.

Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

You should write at least 150 words.

The graph shows the disparity between required income and median household income for purchasing a median-priced home in the United States from 2018 to 2024.

In 2018, the median household income of approximately $63,000 exceeded the required income of around $60,000 for home affordability. However, this relationship inverted dramatically by 2024, with the required income surging to $119,461 while the median household income rose more modestly to $83,734.

The required income trajectory shows a sharp upward trend, particularly from 2020 onwards. In contrast, the median household income demonstrates a gradual increase over the same period, failing to keep pace with the rapidly rising income requirements for home ownership.

The widening gap between these two metrics indicates a significant decline in housing affordability for the average American household. By 2024, the required income for purchasing a median-priced home surpassed the median household income by approximately $35,727, underscoring the growing financial challenges in the U.S. housing market.