Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-26
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 a average family weekly spending money in eight categories in one country in 1968 and 2018.meaured in % of weekly income.
Overall the family spending monthly income in 1968 Food , Clothing and footwear , personal goods people are used most of they money.In 2018 Housing transport,Leisure spent they Money.Household goods are both years are stable state .Food and Housing as High propagation in both years.
In 1968 most of people highly used money in Food 35% and Housing , Clothing and footwear 10% less use in transport, Leisure, personal goods are below 10%.Both years Household Good are stable state are 7%.
At 2018 as people weekly spending money in Firstly Leisure are 23% and secondly Housing 20%remaining Food as 18%, Transport 14%and less at spend money fuel and power 4%, personal goods 4%, Clothing and footwear 5%.Food and Housing, Leisure products are people mostly spent money
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 attempts to summarize the main features of the chart, but the information is often inaccurate or poorly presented. For instance, the claim that 'Food' was 35% in 1968 is correct, but the description of 2018 trends is confusing and lacks clear comparative analysis. The overview is weak, failing to highlight the most significant shifts, such as the dramatic decline in food expenditure versus the rise in housing and leisure costs. The data is presented in a fragmented way, making it difficult for the reader to grasp the overall trends. To improve, ensure that data points are accurately transcribed and that the overview clearly identifies the most striking changes between the two years.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The essay is organized into paragraphs, but the logical progression is frequently interrupted by disjointed sentences and unclear referencing. Cohesive devices are either missing or used incorrectly, such as the awkward transition 'At 2018 as people weekly spending money in Firstly'. The lack of clear linking words makes the relationship between ideas difficult to follow. While there is a basic attempt to group information, the internal structure of the paragraphs is chaotic, and the lack of proper punctuation further hinders the flow of information. Improving the use of transition signals and ensuring each paragraph has a clear focus would significantly enhance coherence.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is limited and often repetitive, relying on basic terms like 'money' and 'spent'. There are frequent errors in word choice and collocation, such as 'High propagation' (likely meant 'proportion') and 'stable state'. The phrasing is often unnatural, which occasionally makes the meaning ambiguous. To reach a higher band, you should aim to use a wider range of vocabulary related to data description, such as 'expenditure', 'allocated', 'fluctuated', or 'remained constant'. Additionally, ensure that you use terminology accurately; for example, 'proportion' is more appropriate than 'propagation' when discussing percentages of income.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains frequent grammatical errors that often impede communication. There are issues with subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'people are used most of they money'), incorrect verb tenses, and missing articles. Sentence structures are generally simple and often fragmented, lacking the complexity required for higher bands. Punctuation is also inconsistent, with misplaced commas and periods that disrupt the reading process. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence construction, ensuring that subjects and verbs agree, and practicing the correct use of prepositions and articles. Reducing the number of basic errors is essential before attempting more complex grammatical structures.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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