Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)

The bar graph illustrate the average weekly spending by families on different things in 1968 and in 2018. Overall, it is apparent that maximum spending on food and on leisure in 1968 and 2018 respectively, while minimum spending was on fuel and power and on personal goods in 2018.

Firstly, weekly expenditure on food was at 35% which was significantly higher than 2018 and housing expenditures was accounted 18% in 2018 which were higher than 1968. Moreover, the fuel and power spending was at 7% in 1968 and 4% in 2018. Clothing and footwear spending was double in 1968 than 2018 spending.

Secondly, the spending on household goods was same while the expenditures on personal goods were accounted 7% in 1968 which was significantly higher than 2018 spending. Moreover , transport spending was at 13% and 7% in 2018 and 1968 respectively. Furthermore, expenditures on leisure thing accounted 22% which was expensive than 1968.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The student addresses the main features of the chart, providing an overview and selecting data points from both 1968 and 2018. However, there are some data inaccuracies and imprecise reporting. For instance, the student states that housing expenditures were accounted 18% in 2018 (the actual figure is closer to 19%), and describes leisure spending as 'expensive' rather than higher in percentage terms. Furthermore, some comparisons are slightly confused, such as stating that clothing and footwear spending was 'double in 1968 than 2018 spending', which is generally correct (10% vs 5%), but the phrasing lacks precision. The overview covers the highest spending categories, though it is slightly disjointed. These minor data misreadings and slightly underdeveloped comparisons place this response at Band 6.0.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is arranged into a logical structure, beginning with an introduction and overall statement, followed by two body paragraphs. Cohesive devices are used to guide the reader, such as 'Overall', 'Firstly', 'Moreover', and 'Secondly'. However, paragraphing is somewhat arbitrary, and some transitions feel mechanical. Referencing is occasionally unclear, such as shifting abruptly between categories without establishing a smooth thematic link. Paragraphing could be improved by grouping categories more logically (e.g., necessities versus discretionary spending). Nevertheless, there is a clear overall progression, warranting a Band 6.0 for Coherence and Cohesion.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for the task, using terms such as 'expenditure', 'significantly higher', and 'proportion' (implied). There are attempts to use less common vocabulary, but these are often accompanied by inaccuracies or awkward collocations, such as 'leisure thing' instead of 'leisure activities' or 'leisure spending', and describing spending as 'expensive' instead of 'higher'. Word choice errors like 'were accounted 18%' (should be 'accounted for') also detract from precision. Spelling is generally accurate, but the lexical control is limited, placing this response firmly in the Band 6.0 category.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The writer attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as relative clauses ('which was significantly higher than 2018'). However, grammatical errors are frequent throughout the text. Examples include subject-verb agreement and voice issues ('The bar graph illustrate', 'housing expenditures was accounted', 'expenditures on leisure thing accounted'), as well as prepositional and comparative errors ('double in 1968 than 2018'). While these errors do not completely impede communication, they occur regularly and lower the density of error-free sentences, making Band 5.5 the most appropriate score.

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