Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-19

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 bar chart illustrates in one country how families spent their weekly salary in 1968 and in 2018. There were eight things in which families spent their average weekly income.

First category was food category. In food category there was a significant difference compared to 1968 to 2018. In 1968 families spent around 35% of their part in food while in 2018 percentage of average weekly spending by families in food category decreased by around 18%. It came down around 20%. Then we have House category. In this category in 1968 families near 10% of their part of weekly salary in housing category. On the other hand families spent above 20% of their weekly income in housing category.

Third category was fuel and power. In that category in the year of 1968 people spent more in that category than in the year of 2018 people spent less. In 1968 people spent their around 6% of salary into this category. In 2018 the percentage was slightly low. It went down towards around 4%.

Then we have Household goods. Surprisingly there was no change in percentage. In both years families spent above 5%.

Next we have Personal goods. In this thing families in 1968 spent around 5% and in 2018 the percentage was below and the percentage of their spending in this year was near 4%.

Second last category was transport. In this category in 1968 spending percentage was relatively low compared to the year of 2018. In 1968 families spent around 7% and while in 2018 it went up towards around 14%.

Lastly we have leisure category. In this category in 1968 people spent less than in the year of 2018. In 1968 they spent around 9% compared to in 2018 families spent above 20% in this category.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

You have successfully identified the main features of the chart and provided relevant comparisons between 1968 and 2018. You covered all categories presented in the data. However, the response lacks a clear overview or summary paragraph, which is essential for a high band score in Task 1. While you reported individual figures, the analysis could be improved by grouping the categories more effectively (e.g., those that increased versus those that decreased) rather than listing them one by one. This would provide a more cohesive summary of the trends rather than just a description of the data points.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the information. However, the use of cohesive devices is quite mechanical and repetitive. You rely heavily on phrases like 'In this category' and 'In 1968/2018' at the start of almost every sentence. To improve, you should use a wider variety of linking words and transition phrases to connect your ideas more fluidly. Additionally, some sentences are quite short and choppy, which disrupts the flow of the text. Improving the logical progression between sentences would significantly enhance the coherence of your writing.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

Your vocabulary is adequate for the task, but it is somewhat repetitive and lacks precision. You frequently use the word 'category' and 'thing' to describe the items on the chart. Using more varied terminology such as 'expenditure,' 'sector,' 'proportion,' or 'allocation' would demonstrate a better range. Furthermore, there are some awkward phrasings, such as 'spent their around 6% of salary into this category,' which are not natural collocations. Expanding your range of synonyms and focusing on more precise academic vocabulary will help you achieve a higher band score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

You demonstrate a basic control of grammar, but the range of structures is limited. Most of your sentences follow a simple subject-verb-object pattern. There are frequent grammatical errors, such as 'First category was food category' (missing articles) and 'In 1968 families near 10% of their part' (missing verb). You also have issues with prepositions and word order, such as 'spent their around 6%'. To improve, try to incorporate more complex sentence structures, such as relative clauses or comparative structures, and pay closer attention to articles and verb usage to reduce the frequency of errors.

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

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