Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-21

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 6.5)

The bar chart illustrates the percentage of weekly income spent by the families in a particular country in 1968 and 2018.

Overall, there was a shift in spending from food, clothing and footwear in 1968 to leisure and transport in 2015. In contrast, spending on household goods remained unchanged over the two periods.

In 1968, food accounted for the highest proportion of expenditure, at 35% before this almost halved to 17% in 2018. The proportions of income spent on clothing and footwear and housing by families were 10% each. In contrast, spending on other items, such as fuel and power, transport and household and personal goods, was below 10% in each category.

In 2018, leisure made up the largest proportion of expenditure, at around 22%, followed by housing, at roughly 18%. Spending on household goods was consistent over the two periods. Expenditure on transport increased from just over 7% to around 15%, whereas expenditure on personal goods, clothing and footwear, and fuel and power remained below 5% in each category.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response provides a clear overview and highlights key trends, such as the significant decline in food expenditure and the rise in leisure spending. You successfully identified the main features and made relevant comparisons between the two years. However, there is a factual error in the overview: you mention 2015 instead of 2018. Additionally, while you mention that household goods remained unchanged, the data shows a slight fluctuation, so be careful with absolute statements. Overall, the task is well-addressed with a clear focus on the data provided.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The response is logically organized with a clear introduction, overview, and body paragraphs. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate the data from 1968 and 2018. You use cohesive devices such as 'In contrast', 'followed by', and 'whereas' to link ideas and compare figures. The progression of information is smooth and easy to follow. To reach a higher band, ensure that all references are accurate, as the mention of 2015 in the overview creates a minor disconnect with the rest of the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey information clearly. Phrases like 'accounted for the highest proportion of expenditure' and 'remained unchanged' are appropriate for a report. There is some repetition of 'expenditure' and 'proportion', which limits the lexical variety. To improve, try to incorporate more synonyms or varied ways of describing data trends, such as 'constituted', 'represented', or 'allocated to'. The vocabulary is generally accurate and fits the academic context well.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures effectively. Most sentences are error-free, and the punctuation is generally correct. There is good control over grammatical structures, such as the use of passive voice ('was accounted for') and comparative structures ('increased from... to...'). A minor slip occurs in the phrase 'at 35% before this almost halved', where the connection between clauses could be smoother. Overall, the grammar is strong and does not impede communication.

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

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