Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-03

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)

This chart illustrates about families in one country spent their weekly income in 1968 and in 2018.

Overall, food is necessary for our body, so in 1968 its peak value is about 35%.Moreover transport service increase in 2018 as compare to previous year.On the other hand fuel and power rate decrease considerably as compare to year by 1968.

Looking first at food its percentage rate is more about 35%, Housing rate increase consiberably by 1968, Furthermore fuel and power percentage rate is high in 1968, and other things in which a one country spent their weekly income are personal goods in which percentage rate is tragnant between 1968 and 2018.

Turning to compare Leisure also experience a significant increase in 2018 compare with year by 1968, moreover transport service are also significant increase in 2018 as compare by 1968.On the other hand clothing percentage rate is high in year 1968 compare with year by 2018.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response attempts to address the task by comparing spending in 1968 and 2018. However, the information is presented in a fragmented manner, and the data points are often inaccurate or missing. For instance, you mention food was 35% in 1968, but you fail to provide the corresponding 2018 figure or a clear comparison of the trends. The overview is weak and lacks a clear summary of the most significant changes. To improve, ensure you select key data points (the highest and lowest categories) and describe the trends clearly rather than listing items without sufficient supporting data.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The essay is divided into paragraphs, but the logical flow is hindered by repetitive phrasing and a lack of effective cohesive devices. Phrases like 'as compare to' and 'in which a one country' are used repeatedly, making the text feel mechanical. The transition between ideas is often abrupt, and the referencing is sometimes unclear, such as in the second paragraph where you list categories without a clear structure. To improve, use a wider variety of linking words (e.g., 'whereas', 'in contrast', 'consequently') and ensure each paragraph has a clear thematic focus.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is quite limited and repetitive. You frequently use basic terms like 'rate', 'increase', and 'decrease' without variation. There are also several spelling errors, such as 'consiberably' and 'tragnant', which detract from the professional tone required for an Academic Task 1. The phrasing is often unnatural, such as 'food is necessary for our body', which is irrelevant to the data analysis. To reach a higher band, focus on using more precise vocabulary related to trends, such as 'fluctuated', 'remained stable', or 'accounted for'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. There are issues with subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'transport service increase'), incorrect preposition usage (e.g., 'as compare by'), and awkward sentence structures. The range of grammatical structures is very limited, relying mostly on simple sentences. There is a lack of complex sentence forms, which are necessary for a higher score. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence construction, specifically ensuring correct verb tenses when describing past data and using accurate prepositions for comparisons.

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

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