Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-24

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 graph illustrates the variation in weekly spending percentage by families of one country for different purpose between two years 1968 and 2018.

From the chart, it can be seen that, food and leisure shows the significant variation in spending. In the year 1968, the highest 35% spending was for food only and almost half of spending done in the year 2018. Less than 10% was spent for leisure in the year 1968, which increased up to more than 20% in the year 2018, It was more than double. Spending for the household goods remained the same for both the years.

Spending against the Fuel and power, Clothing and footware and personal goods show the decline in the year 2018 than it was to 1968. However, Housing and transport show the significant increased on spending to the year 2018 that to than 1968.

All over, it can be conclude from the chart that, families spend more on leisure and transport than to basic requirements such as food and personal goods.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main features of the chart, identifying key trends such as the decline in food spending and the rise in leisure and transport. However, the analysis is somewhat superficial. For instance, the statement that household goods 'remained the same' is inaccurate based on the visual data, which shows a slight fluctuation. Additionally, the report lacks a clear, data-driven comparison for some categories, relying on vague descriptions rather than specific figures. To reach a higher band, ensure that all data points are accurately interpreted and that the overview clearly highlights the most significant shifts across the two time periods.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is organised into logical paragraphs, with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a concluding summary. Cohesive devices are used, such as 'From the chart', 'However', and 'All over', though some transitions feel slightly mechanical or forced. The progression of ideas is generally clear, but the internal structure of the body paragraphs could be improved by grouping related categories more effectively. Referencing is mostly clear, but the flow between sentences could be smoother to avoid a list-like feel. The use of paragraphing is appropriate for the task.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task, allowing the writer to describe trends such as 'significant variation', 'decline', and 'increased'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'spending against the Fuel' (should be 'on') and 'footware' (spelling error). The range of vocabulary is somewhat limited and repetitive, relying on basic verbs like 'show' and 'spent'. To improve, the student should incorporate more varied synonyms for 'increase' and 'decrease' and ensure precise usage of prepositions when discussing financial data.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are frequent grammatical errors, such as 'almost half of spending done' (missing article/verb), 'that to than 1968' (awkward phrasing), and 'it can be conclude' (incorrect verb form). Punctuation is generally functional, but there are minor errors with comma usage. The student demonstrates an attempt at complex structures, but these often contain errors that slightly impede the flow of the text. Greater attention to subject-verb agreement and article usage is needed.

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