Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-04

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

The chart below gives information about how families in one country spent their weekly income in 1968 and in 2018.

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

1968 and 2018: average weekly spending by families

Student answer (Band 7.0)

The bar chart compares the average proportion of weekly income that families in one country spent on eight different categories in 1968 and 2018.

Overall, food accounted for the largest share of household expenditure in 1968, whereas leisure became the biggest spending category in 2018. Over the 50-year period, spending on food, clothing and footwear, fuel and power, and personal goods declined, while expenditure on housing, transport and leisure increased.

In 1968, families spent the highest proportion of their weekly income on food, at 35%, which was considerably higher than any other category. Housing and clothing and footwear each accounted for around 10%, while transport and leisure represented approximately 8% each. Spending on household goods and personal goods stood at about 7% and 9%, respectively, whereas fuel and power accounted for roughly 6%.

By 2018, leisure had become the largest expenditure, rising to just over 20%, followed by housing, which increased to around 18%. Spending on transport also grew significantly to approximately 14%. In contrast, expenditure on food fell sharply to about 17%, while clothing and footwear, fuel and power, and personal goods all declined to below 5%. Household goods remained relatively stable at around 8%.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response is excellent. You have successfully identified the main trends and provided a clear overview of the significant shifts in spending patterns between 1968 and 2018. You have selected key features, such as the decline in food expenditure and the rise in leisure and housing costs, and supported these with accurate data from the chart. The comparison between the two years is consistent and well-integrated. You have covered all parts of the task effectively, ensuring that the reader gains a comprehensive understanding of the data without unnecessary detail.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The response is logically organized with a clear introduction, a concise overview, and two well-structured body paragraphs. The progression of ideas is smooth, moving logically from the general overview to specific details. You have used cohesive devices such as 'whereas', 'in contrast', and 'followed by' effectively to link ideas and contrast the two time periods. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the overview from the specific data analysis, making the text easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic report. Phrases like 'accounted for the largest share', 'expenditure', 'declined', and 'rose significantly' are used accurately. The language is precise and fits the context of describing statistical data. While the vocabulary is functional and accurate, incorporating a few more sophisticated synonyms or collocations related to trends (e.g., 'a marginal increase' or 'a substantial shift') could elevate the response further. Overall, the lexical control is strong and supports clear communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The grammar is highly accurate throughout the response. You have used a variety of sentence structures, including complex sentences with subordinate clauses, effectively. Punctuation is used correctly to manage lists and clauses. There are no noticeable grammatical errors, and the control over tense usage—switching between the past context of 1968 and the comparative nature of the report—is handled with ease. The majority of your sentences are error-free, reflecting a high level of grammatical competence.

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