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 bar chart compares information on average weekly income spending by families in 1968 and 2018.

Overall, the eight different categories of expenses have changed within the periods. Expenditure leisure became twice as high be 2018, and expenses for food, which accounted for just a third of weekly income, have become half as much as in 1968.

In 1968, most expenses were for food, about 35%, while this proportion have experienced a significant decline by 2018, to just over 15%. Housing and leisure made up the main expenditures in 2018, close to 20% for the former and almost 25% for the latter. The figures for personal goods and clothing and footwear in 1968 were approximately twice as higher than in 2018.

Another spending, for fuel and power, did not witness a considerable change, it remained around 5%. Expenses for transport increased from slightly less than 10% in 1968 to around 15% in 2018. The percentage for household goods has maintained the same proportion, just under 10%, in the both periods.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response effectively identifies the main trends and makes relevant comparisons between the two years. You have successfully highlighted the significant decline in food expenditure and the rise in leisure and housing costs. However, the overview is slightly imprecise; for instance, stating that food expenses became 'half as much' is not entirely accurate based on the data (35% to 15% is more than half). Additionally, the mention of 'eight different categories' is unnecessary as the prompt does not require counting. To reach a higher band, ensure that all data points mentioned are mathematically precise and that the overview captures the most significant shifts more clearly.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, overview, and body paragraphs. You use cohesive devices such as 'In 1968', 'while', and 'another' to guide the reader through the data. However, some transitions feel slightly mechanical, and the paragraphing could be improved by grouping related categories more effectively. For example, the final paragraph mixes disparate categories like fuel, transport, and household goods without a strong thematic link. The referencing is generally clear, but ensure that comparisons between years are consistently linked to avoid ambiguity.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'expenditure', 'proportion', and 'witness a considerable change'. There are some minor inaccuracies in collocation, such as 'twice as higher', which should be 'twice as high'. While you attempt to use varied vocabulary, some phrasing is slightly repetitive or awkward, such as 'another spending'. To improve, focus on using more precise collocations and avoiding redundant phrases. The vocabulary is sufficient to convey the meaning clearly, but lacks the sophistication required for higher bands.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors that slightly impede the flow, such as 'this proportion have experienced' (subject-verb agreement) and 'in the both periods' (incorrect article usage). The phrase 'twice as higher' is a comparative error. While these errors do not prevent the reader from understanding your points, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. Focus on subject-verb agreement and the correct usage of comparative structures to enhance your accuracy.

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

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