Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-09

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 6.0)

The given bar chart provides the information about how families in one major country utilize their weekly salary in 1968 ad in 2008. Overall, it is clear shows that in 1968 food was most popular item in which families spend their income . Whereas, fuel and power was less thing invest money. In contrast in 2008 Leisure was biggest investment of families. While fuel and power as well as personal goods were lowest spending thing in weekly. To begin with food the largest spending item in 1968 nearby 35%. Housing and clothing , footwear are similar in the 1968 about 15%. Whereas household goods ,personal goods , transport as same in 1968 with 8%. However fuel and power were smallest thing in which families spend their salary with only 6%. Leisure was increased after transport made up 9%. In contrast Leisure was largest item in 2008 with 23%. Second highest was housing people like to spend their income nearly 17%. While fuel and power also personal goods are similar in 2008 with 3%. Moreover food and transport showed minor difference with 14% and 17%. Household goods were made up 8%.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response covers the main features of the chart and makes relevant comparisons between the two years. However, the data presentation is sometimes inaccurate (e.g., stating 2008 instead of 2018) and the analysis of trends is slightly underdeveloped. While the main features are identified, the report lacks a clear, cohesive overview of the most significant changes, such as the shift from food to leisure as the primary expenditure. The inclusion of specific percentages is good, but the overall summary could be more analytical to reach a higher band.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The response is organized into paragraphs, but the flow between sentences is often mechanical. Cohesive devices are used, such as 'In contrast' and 'To begin with', but they are sometimes applied incorrectly or repetitively. The progression of ideas is occasionally disjointed, particularly when listing percentages for various categories. Paragraphing is present, but the internal structure of the paragraphs could be improved to ensure a smoother transition between the data points provided.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The range of vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks variety and precision. There is a reliance on basic verbs like 'spend', 'make up', and 'showed'. Some word choices are unnatural or inaccurate, such as 'less thing invest money' and 'smallest thing in which families spend their salary'. While the meaning is generally clear, the lack of sophisticated vocabulary and occasional errors in collocation limit the score in this criterion.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response contains a mix of simple and some attempted complex structures. There are frequent grammatical errors, including missing articles ('in 1968 food was most popular item'), incorrect verb tenses, and awkward phrasing ('Leisure was increased after transport made up 9%'). Punctuation is also inconsistent, with irregular spacing and missing commas. While these errors do not completely impede communication, they are frequent enough to distract the reader and indicate a lack of control over complex sentence forms.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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