Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-08

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 8.5)

The chart compares the proportion of weekly income that families allocated to eight different categories of expenditure in 1968 and 2018. Overall, food consumed the largest share of household budgets in 1968, whereas leisure and housing had become the dominant expenses by 2018. Additionally, spending patterns shifted, several categories experiencing a notable decline while others rose substantially. In 1968, food accounted for approximately 35% of weekly income, making it by far the most significant expense, while clothing and footwear, along with household and personal goods, each consumed roughly 8-10%. By 2018, however, expenditure on food had plummeted to around 17%, and clothing, personal goods, and fuel and power had similarly contracted. Conversely, leisure spending more than doubled, climbing from approximately 9% to 22%, thereby becoming the single largest category by 2018. Housing followed a comparable escalation, rising from 9% to 19%, while transport costs nearly doubled, increasing from 8% to 14%. Household goods remained the only category to stay virtually unchanged across the fifty-year period, holding steadily at roughly 8%.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

The response is excellent and fully addresses all parts of the task. You have successfully identified the main features, such as the significant decline in food expenditure and the rise in leisure and housing costs. The comparisons between 1968 and 2018 are accurate and well-supported by the data provided. You have effectively highlighted the key trends without getting bogged down in unnecessary detail, which demonstrates a clear understanding of the requirements for an Academic Task 1 report. The overview provided in the introduction is concise and accurately captures the most significant shifts in the data.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The response is logically organized, with a clear progression of ideas from the introduction to the detailed body paragraphs. You have used a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'conversely', 'while', and 'thereby', which help to link the data points smoothly. The paragraphing is appropriate, separating the general overview from the specific data analysis. The information is presented in a way that is easy to follow, and the transition between the two time periods is handled with precision. There is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive use of cohesive devices.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.5

You have demonstrated a wide and sophisticated range of vocabulary, which is used with natural control. Phrases such as 'allocated to', 'plummeted to', 'comparable escalation', and 'virtually unchanged' show a high level of lexical precision. The vocabulary is not only accurate but also contextually appropriate for a formal report. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or collocation, and the language used is varied enough to maintain the reader's interest throughout the response. This is a very strong performance in terms of lexical range and accuracy.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

The response exhibits a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences that are used with high accuracy. For example, the use of participial phrases ('thereby becoming the single largest category') and subordinate clauses ('while transport costs nearly doubled') is handled with ease. The majority of sentences are error-free, and the punctuation is used correctly to enhance clarity. There are no significant grammatical slips, and the control over tense and aspect is consistent throughout the text. The writing is fluent and demonstrates a high level of grammatical competence.

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