Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-20

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 proportion of weekly income that families in one country spent on different categories in 1968 and 2018.

Overall, the chart shows a clear shift from essential items such as food towards housing, transport and leisure over the 50-year period.

In 1968, food was by far the biggest expense, accounting for 35% of weekly income. This was followed by housing and clothing and footwear, at 10% each. Families spent around 9% on leisure, while personal goods and transport were both about 8%. Fuel and power represented approximately 6%, and household goods accounted for about 7%.

By 2018, the pattern had changed considerably. Leisure became the largest category, at roughly 22%, followed by housing at about 19%. Food fell significantly to around 17%. Transport also increased to approximately 14%. Spending on household goods remained relatively stable at around 8%, while clothing and footwear decreased to 5%. Fuel and power and personal goods were the smallest categories, at about 4% each.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The student has successfully covered all parts of the task by reporting the main features of the chart comparing weekly spending in 1968 and 2018. An effective overview is provided in the second paragraph, highlighting the general shift from essentials like food towards housing, transport, and leisure. Key data points and comparisons are accurately selected and reported, such as food dropping from 35% to 17% and leisure rising to become the largest category at 22%. The response is fully accurate in its data interpretation, meeting all the requirements of Band 7 and leaning towards Band 8 for thorough coverage.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The response exhibits a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Information is well grouped into a suitable introduction, an overview paragraph, a detailed paragraph for 1968, and a detailed paragraph for 2018. Cohesive devices are used naturally and appropriately to guide the reader through the data, such as 'Overall', 'In 1968', 'This was followed by', and 'By 2018'. Paragraphing is well managed and the progression of ideas is smooth and easy to follow, satisfying the descriptors for Band 8.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The vocabulary used is sufficient and appropriate for an Academic Task 1 response. The student demonstrates a good range of functional vocabulary related to data analysis, including phrases like 'proportion of weekly income', 'accounting for', 'by far the biggest expense', and 'remained relatively stable'. There are no noticeable spelling or word-choice errors, and less common phrasing is handled with good control, placing the response solidly in the Band 7 to 8 range.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The writer demonstrates a good variety of sentence structures, mixing simple and complex forms effectively. Examples include relative clauses and participial phrases such as 'accounting for 35% of weekly income' and 'while personal goods and transport were both about 8%'. The majority of sentences are error-free, with a high level of grammatical control and accurate punctuation throughout. This fits the Band 8 criteria well.

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

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