Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-13

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 suplied bar graph illustrates the information on how families in a country spend their weekly income in 1968 and 2018. A glance at graph reveals that, the highest income consumption was food, while housing, transport and leisure dramatically inclined as compare to other categories.

To commence with, food was recorded 35% in 1968, which was the highest recorded ever, and it considerably less than 16% in 2018. Although housing was at 10% in 1968, it marginally above the 19% in 2018. However, fuel and power was at 6% in 1968 and it nearly 4% in 2018. Similarly, clothing and footwear was at 10% in1968, but it was just under at 5% in 2018.

On constrat, household goods was at 8% in1968, while it was also approximately to 8% in 2018. Eventhough personal goods was at 8% in 1968, it was slightly under 4% in 2018. Nevertheless, transport was at 8% in 1968 but it was well over at 14% in 2018. Likewise, leisure was at 9% in 1968, which was marginally above at 22% in 2018.

To conclude, facilities for human work inclined, but leisure also uplifted to two times over a half century.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The student attempts to cover the main features of the chart comparing weekly spending in 1968 and 2018. An overview is provided at the beginning, stating that food was the highest consumption category and that housing, transport, and leisure increased. However, the overview is slightly flawed and omits the dramatic drop in food spending. Furthermore, several data points are inaccurately reported or misinterpreted in the body paragraphs; for example, stating that food was 'considerably less than 16% in 2018' (it was approximately 30-35% in 1968 and around 16% in 2018, but the wording is confusing), and stating housing was 'marginally above the 19% in 2018' when the chart shows it was around 18-19%. There is a general lack of clear data selection and accurate reporting, which holds this criterion back.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The response is divided into an introduction, two body paragraphs, and a brief conclusion, which represents a logical paragraph structure. Cohesive devices are used to link sentences and paragraphs, such as 'To commence with', 'Although', 'However', and 'On constrat'. However, some cohesive devices are used incorrectly or mechanically (e.g., 'On constrat' contains a spelling error and poor collocation, and 'To commence with' is awkward here). Referencing and logical progression are occasionally hindered by awkward phrasing, making the flow bumpy in places. Paragraphing is present, but the overall logical sequencing within the body paragraphs could be smoother and better grouped.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, attempting words like 'consumption', 'dramatically', 'inclined', and 'marginal'. However, there are frequent word choice errors and awkward collocations, such as 'highest income consumption was food', 'dramatically inclined' (usually 'increased' or 'rose'), and spelling errors like 'suplied' instead of 'supplied' and 'constrat' instead of 'contrast'. The student struggles with precision when describing statistical trends, often using prepositions incorrectly (e.g., 'recorded 35%', 'well over at 14%'). The lexical range is limited and contains noticeable errors that occasionally cause difficulty for the reader.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, using conjunctions like 'although', 'while', and 'even though'. However, grammatical accuracy is weak, with frequent errors in verb tenses, prepositions, and clause structures. Examples include 'it considerably less than 16%' (missing verb), 'it marginally above the 19%' (missing verb), 'it was just under at 5%', and 'it was also approximately to 8%'. These errors are frequent and sometimes impede communication or require the reader to re-read to grasp the intended meaning. Punctuation is basic, and control over complex sentence patterns remains inconsistent.

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

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