Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-06
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 5.0)
The chart shows weekly income gives spending patterns of families in one country between 1968 and 2018 .
The major chunk where families spent in 1968 was on Food 35 percent where’s in 2018 they spent majorily on leisure by around 22 percent. In 1968 housing, clothing and footwear expenditure was same 10 percent. Where’s housing rose in 2018 by 14 percent compared to 1968 additionally clothing and footwear expense dropped by 5 percent in 2018 compared to 1968.
Furthermore the families spent equal proportion of their income on household goods which remained same as 8% in 1968 and 2018. However the fuel and power was changed in spending patterns but only dropped by 3% like in 1968 it was 6% and in 2018 it was 3%. On the other hand the personal goods expenditure dropped by 5% as in 1968 it was 8% and in 2018 it was 3%. Also on the Transport spending rose between 2 years by 7% as in 1968 it was 7% and in 2018 it was 7%.
Conclusively we can see the changes in the spending patters like some have dropped and some improved so it gives idea of families spendings on different things.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response covers the main features of the chart, but the analysis is somewhat mechanical and lacks a clear overview. While you identify key trends, the comparison between 1968 and 2018 is often repetitive. For instance, stating 'in 1968 it was X and in 2018 it was Y' for every category makes the report feel like a list of data points rather than a summary. To reach a higher band, you should group the data more effectively—for example, by highlighting categories that increased, decreased, or remained stable—and provide a more concise, analytical overview in the introduction or conclusion.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The essay is organised into paragraphs, but the logical flow is hindered by repetitive sentence structures and awkward transitions. The use of cohesive devices like 'Furthermore' and 'On the other hand' is present, but they are sometimes used incorrectly or feel forced. The referencing is occasionally unclear, such as in the final paragraph where the summary is vague. Improving the use of linking words and ensuring that each paragraph has a clear thematic focus would significantly enhance the readability and coherence of your writing.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The range of vocabulary is limited and repetitive. You rely heavily on basic terms like 'spent', 'dropped', and 'rose'. There are also some errors in word choice and collocation, such as 'major chunk where families spent' and 'majorily'. To improve, try to incorporate more precise vocabulary related to data description, such as 'expenditure', 'proportion', 'fluctuated', or 'remained constant'. Additionally, ensure that you use adverbs and adjectives correctly to describe the extent of the changes, rather than just stating the percentages repeatedly.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors. Issues include incorrect preposition usage ('spent on Food 35 percent'), punctuation errors, and awkward phrasing ('where’s in 2018'). There are also errors in subject-verb agreement and tense consistency. For example, 'the fuel and power was changed' is grammatically incorrect. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence construction and proofreading for common errors like missing articles or incorrect verb forms. Increasing the variety of complex structures while maintaining accuracy will help you achieve a higher score.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.