Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-07
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 5.5)
The given bar chart illustrates in which activities, families spent average of their earning in particular country in two different years which are 1968 and 2018.
Overall, it can be clearly seen that Food had the highest category while Fuel and power recorded the lowest value in 1968. Figures of Households goods and Personal goods were relatively similar falling between highest and lowest values.
Food topped the chart with exact 35% considerably higher than Fuel and power, which had only 7% in 1968. Household goods, Personal goods and transport recorded figures of approximately 8%, 8.5% and 8% respectively. Notably, Fuel and power lagged behind clothing and foot ware, whereas Housing remained midway between the highest and lowest values.
Leisure activity was stood with almost 24%, considerably higher than Fuel and power, which had only 4%. Personal goods and Clothing and foot ware recorded figure of almost 4% and 5% respectively. Notably, Transport slightly lagged behind Food and Housing, whereas Household goods remained midway between the highest and lowest values.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response covers the main features of the chart, but there are significant inaccuracies in the data reporting. For instance, you state that 'Food' was 35% in 1968, which is correct, but you misinterpret the 2018 data by claiming 'Leisure activity' was 24% (it was actually 22%) and misidentifying the values for other categories. Furthermore, the comparison between the two years is underdeveloped; you describe 1968 and 2018 in separate paragraphs without explicitly highlighting the significant shifts, such as the decline in food expenditure and the rise in leisure spending. To improve, ensure data points are read precisely and focus on comparing the two years rather than just listing them.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, with an introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs. However, the progression of ideas is somewhat mechanical. While you use some cohesive devices like 'Notably' and 'whereas', the transition between the two years is abrupt. The internal structure of the paragraphs is repetitive, often relying on similar sentence patterns to describe the data. To reach a higher band, focus on using a wider variety of linking words and ensure that the relationship between the two years is clearly signaled to the reader.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'illustrates', 'recorded', and 'lagged behind'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and spelling, such as 'foot ware' (footwear) and 'Leisure activity was stood with' (which is grammatically incorrect). The vocabulary is generally functional but lacks the precision and flexibility required for higher bands. To improve, focus on using more precise collocations and ensure correct spelling of technical terms related to the chart categories.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. However, there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity, such as 'Leisure activity was stood with almost 24%' and 'families spent average of their earning'. There are also issues with article usage and prepositional phrases. While the meaning is generally clear, the frequency of these errors prevents the response from reaching a higher band. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of passive voice when describing statistical data.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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