Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-14

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 6.0)

The given bar chart provides information about how families spent their weekly income in 1968 and in 2018.

Overall, families mostly spent their money on daily needs like food or transport. In the modern era, leisure accounted for the highest percentage of weekly income. On the other hand, food accounted for the largest proportion in the past.

As is shown in the graph, the average weekly spending by families on food was over 35% in 1968, but in 2018 the percentage of spending decreased dramatically to over 17%. Housing had about 10% in 1968 and increased to just over 19% in 2018. Families average weekly spending on fuel and power was the lowest among the others with just about 6% and 4% in 1968 and 2018, respectively. Clothing and footwear had over 10% in 1968, and decreased to 5% in 2018.

The average weekly spending by families for household goods was over 7% in 1968 and did not change thereafter. Personal goods also had about 7% in 1968, but in 2018 it declined to over 4%. The transport also had just over 7% like the last two models in 1968, and had increased significantly to about 14%. In addition, the families spent on leisure about 7% of income, and the percentage grew sharply to over 22% in 2018.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response successfully covers all main features of the chart, providing a clear overview and highlighting key trends such as the drop in food spending and the rise in leisure expenditure. Specific data points from both 1968 and 2018 are cited accurately, for instance noting that food was over 35% in 1968 and decreased to over 17%. The comparisons between the two years are made appropriately, fulfilling the requirements of an Academic Task 1 response. The ideas are well selected and supported by the figures provided in the prompt, placing this performance solidly at Band 7.0 according to the descriptors.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The text demonstrates a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Information is grouped into appropriate paragraphs, starting with an introduction and overview, followed by body paragraphs detailing the categories. Cohesive devices are used reasonably well, such as 'On the other hand', 'respectively', and 'In addition'. However, paragraphing could be slightly more structured around major trends rather than listing multiple individual categories sequentially, which leads to a somewhat mechanical flow in places. Overall, the referencing and progression are sufficiently clear to meet the criteria for a Band 6.5 or 7.0, with clear logical development overall.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary used is generally adequate and appropriate for the task, with terms like 'proportion', 'percentage', 'decreased dramatically', and 'grew sharply' demonstrating a sufficient range for flexibility and precision. Less common items such as 'expenditure' or 'proportion' are handled reasonably well, though there are occasional slightly awkward phrasings like 'did not change thereafter' or 'like the last two models'. Spelling and word-choice errors do not impede communication at all. The lexical range is sufficient to meet the Band 6.5 standards, as the writer attempts a varied vocabulary with reasonable success.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response features a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating good control over basic structures and attempting some more complex comparative structures like 'Families average weekly spending on fuel and power was the lowest among the others with just about 6% and 4% in 1968 and 2018, respectively.' There are a few minor grammatical inaccuracies, such as missing apostrophes in 'Families average weekly' or slight preposition issues like 'spent on leisure about 7% of income'. However, these errors do not impede communication and the majority of sentences remain clear, placing the performance comfortably within the Band 6.5 range.

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