Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-23
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 bar chart displays information about how 1968 and 2018 in one country average weekly spending by famailies.
Overall, it can be seen that the people spend the highest amount on food in 1968, in 2018 spent the highest money on leisure. People spent the lowest money on fuel and power in both years.
In 1968, individuals spent the more on food peat at 35%, families only 10% money spent on housing and clothing and footware. Moreover, people were spenting approximately 8% on both household and personal goods. The public was just over 7% money spent on fuel and power.
In 2018, families were spenting the highest amount on leisure reach at 22%, but they were spenting around about 19% money on housing. Although individuals were spenting the 14% on transport, they were spenting the 7% on houshold goods. Furthermore, people were spenting equal amount on fuel and power and personal good just over 6%.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0
The response covers the main trends in both 1968 and 2018, noting the shifts in top spending categories from food to leisure. However, there are significant inaccuracies in the data reported for 2018. For instance, the student states that the public was spending 'around about 19% money on housing', which is reasonably close to the chart value of 19%, but states that spending on household goods was 7% (actually 8%) and fuel and power and personal goods were 'just over 6%' (whereas fuel and power was 4% and personal goods was 4%). Furthermore, the introduction has a major phrasing error ('how 1968 and 2018 in one country average weekly spending'). While an overview is present, the data inaccuracies and flawed data interpretation keep this criterion at Band 5.0.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0
The response is structured into four paragraphs, including an introduction, an overall statement, and separate body paragraphs for 1968 and 2018. There is a basic attempt to organise information chronologically. However, logical progression is hindered by awkward phrasing and repetitive sentence structures ('In 1968, individuals spent... In 2018, families were spenting...'). Cohesive devices are minimal and sometimes repetitive or misused (e.g., 'Although individuals were spenting the 14% on transport, they were spenting the 7% on houshold goods' where 'although' does not logically introduce a contrast). Paragraphing is present but internal cohesion remains weak. This aligns with Band 5.0 descriptors.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is generally basic and repetitive, with frequent word-form and spelling errors. Examples of errors include 'famailies' for families, 'footware' for footwear, and repeated inaccurate verb forms like 'spenting'. The student attempts some topic-specific vocabulary such as 'weekly spending', 'housing', and 'leisure', but control over lexical items is limited. Less common vocabulary is either inaccurate or absent. Because the vocabulary is minimally adequate for the task despite frequent errors that cause some difficulty, a band score of 5.0 is appropriate.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The response exhibits a very limited range of grammatical structures. The majority of sentences are simple or poorly formed complex sentences. There are frequent grammatical errors, particularly with tense formation and voice, such as 'people were spenting' (continuous tense used incorrectly for general trends), 'the public was just over 7% money spent', and missing auxiliary verbs. Punctuation is basic. Because errors are frequent and recurrent across simple and attempted complex structures, causing difficulty for the reader, this performance meets the Band 5.0 descriptors.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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