Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)

The chart shows detail how weekly earning used in one country by households within the year 1968 and 2018.

There is a significant change of spending more money on food by families and very low income of households spent on personal goods.

In year 1968 families spent much income on food in 1968 which is 35% and the percentage of housing is 24%. Households use very less of their earnings on fuel and power which is 7% and they use 10 percent of their money on clothing and footware.

In year 2018 clans spent 23% of their revenue on leisure and they use very less percentile of their salary on personal goods which is 4%. On the other hand they use 7 percent of their income on households goods and their expenses for transportation is 13% in the year 2018.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which significantly impacts the score. While you have identified some key features, the overview is weak and lacks a clear comparison between the two years. The report is fragmented, focusing on isolated data points rather than synthesizing the information to highlight trends or significant shifts (e.g., the decline in food spending versus the rise in leisure). To improve, ensure you provide a clear summary of the main trends in the introduction and ensure the response is long enough to fully develop your analysis of the data provided in the chart.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organized into paragraphs, but the logical progression is limited. The use of cohesive devices is minimal and sometimes repetitive, such as the frequent use of 'In year 1968' and 'In year 2018'. The connection between sentences is often mechanical, and there is a lack of linking phrases to guide the reader through the comparisons. To improve, use a wider variety of transition words (e.g., 'In contrast,' 'Conversely,' 'Furthermore') to connect your ideas more fluidly and ensure that each paragraph has a clear focus that contributes to the overall summary.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is somewhat limited and repetitive. You rely on basic terms like 'spending,' 'money,' and 'income.' There are also some awkward word choices, such as 'clans' to refer to families and 'percentile' when you mean 'percentage.' The range of vocabulary is insufficient to demonstrate a higher level of control. To improve, try to use more precise terminology related to data reporting, such as 'expenditure,' 'allocated to,' 'accounted for,' and 'proportion.' Expanding your range of synonyms will help you avoid repetition and make your writing more professional.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains several grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Examples include 'The chart shows detail how weekly earning used' (missing 'is' and 'earnings') and 'Households use very less of their earnings' (incorrect comparative structure). There is a lack of complex sentence structures, and the control over basic grammar is inconsistent. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement, correct preposition usage, and the proper formation of comparative structures. Aim to incorporate a mix of simple and complex sentences to demonstrate a better range of grammatical control.

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

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