Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-23
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 bar chart illustrates the average weekly spending by householders householders in a specific country in 1968 and 2018.
Overall, families spend more money in food and in 1968. While in 2018, they spend more money in leisure. In both given periods families spend less money in fuel and power.
To begin with, householders spend much money on food with 35% of weekly income in 1968. 10% in both housing and clothing and footwear. They spend approximately 5.5 for personal goods and transport. The lowest expenditure was for fuel and power with more than 5%.
In 2018, families’ highest income expenditure was fore leisure with more than 20%, while less then 20% for housing. As families in 1968, in 2018 ones spend around 5.5% for household goods and less than 5% for fuel and power, which is the lowest income expenditure for both given years.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which negatively impacts the score. While you have identified some main features, the analysis is incomplete. For example, you mention 'food' and 'leisure' but fail to provide a comprehensive comparison of all categories or note the significant shifts in spending patterns (e.g., the decline in food expenditure). The data reporting is also imprecise, such as stating 'approximately 5.5' without specifying the unit (percentage). To improve, ensure you cover all categories shown in the chart and provide a clear, data-driven overview that highlights the most significant changes between the two years.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The essay is organized into paragraphs, which is a positive step. However, the logical progression is hindered by the lack of cohesive devices. Transitions between sentences are often abrupt, and the connection between the overview and the supporting details is weak. For instance, the phrase 'As families in 1968, in 2018 ones spend...' is awkward and lacks clarity. To improve, use a wider range of linking words (e.g., 'In contrast,' 'Conversely,' 'Furthermore') to guide the reader through your comparisons and ensure that each paragraph has a clear focus.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is somewhat repetitive and limited. You frequently use the word 'spend' or 'expenditure' without variation. There are also errors in word choice, such as 'householders' (when referring to the families themselves) and 'fore leisure' (a spelling error). The phrasing 'ones spend' is unnatural in this context. To reach a higher band, try to incorporate more precise synonyms for spending, such as 'allocate funds to,' 'devote a portion of income to,' or 'expenditure on.' Additionally, ensure you use the correct terminology for the data categories provided in the chart.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains several grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Examples include 'spend more money in food' (should be 'on food'), 'less then 20%' (should be 'less than'), and 'in both given periods families spend less money in fuel' (tense inconsistency). The sentence structures are predominantly simple, with few attempts at complex sentences. To improve, focus on using prepositions correctly with verbs related to spending and ensure consistent use of tenses when comparing past data (1968) with the later period (2018). Incorporating more complex sentence structures, such as relative clauses, would also enhance your score.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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