Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-27

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 7.5)

The bar chart compares the percentage of weekly income that families in one country spent on eight categories in 1968 and 2018.

Overall, food was the largest expense in 1968, while leisure became the biggest category in 2018. Spending also shifted from basic necessities towards housing, transport and leisure.

In 1968, families spent 35% of their income on food, considerably more than any other category. Housing and clothing and footwear each accounted for 10%, while leisure and household goods represented about 9% and 8%, respectively. Transport and personal goods made up approximately 8% and 7%, while fuel and power accounted for around 6%.

By 2018, spending on leisure had increased significantly to 22%, followed by housing at 19%. Food expenditure, however, fell sharply to 17%. Transport also rose to about 14%. In contrast, clothing and footwear, fuel and power, and personal goods all declined, to approximately 5%, 4% and 4%, respectively.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response effectively addresses all parts of the task. You have provided a clear overview of the main trends and successfully selected and reported key features, such as the shift from food to leisure as the primary expenditure. The comparisons between 1968 and 2018 are accurate and well-supported by the data provided. The information is logically grouped, and the key changes are highlighted effectively. To reach a higher band, you could ensure that every category is mentioned or grouped more comprehensively, though your current selection of data is sufficient for a high score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The response is well-organized with a clear progression of ideas. You have used an effective structure, starting with an introduction, followed by a clear overview, and then two body paragraphs that logically group the data. Cohesive devices such as 'In contrast', 'however', and 'followed by' are used appropriately to link ideas and guide the reader. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate the overview from the detailed analysis. The flow of information is smooth and easy to follow throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You have demonstrated a good range of vocabulary appropriate for an IELTS Academic Task 1 response. Phrases such as 'shifted from basic necessities', 'fell sharply', and 'increased significantly' show a good command of descriptive language. The use of 'respectively' is accurate. While the vocabulary is precise and fits the context well, incorporating a few more sophisticated synonyms for 'spending' or 'accounted for' could further enhance the lexical variety. Overall, the vocabulary is natural and effectively conveys the intended meaning without errors.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The response displays a high level of grammatical accuracy. You have used a variety of sentence structures, including complex sentences, effectively. There are no noticeable grammatical errors, and punctuation is used correctly throughout. The control over tense and subject-verb agreement is consistent. The writing is clear and professional, meeting the requirements for a high band score in this criterion. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the structure is sophisticated enough to maintain a high level of fluency.

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

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