Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-28
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 chart illustrates about the percentage of weekly income of families in one country in 1968 and in 2018.
Overall, the most noticeable feature is that the percentage of weekly income in 1968 shows maximum for Food. Whereas, in the same year it shows least for Fuel and power.
In detail, the number of weekly income spent on Food in 1968 showed highest which was 35% and in 2018 showed lowest which was around 15%. However, the percentage of income spent on Housing in 1968 showed least which was 10% and in 2018 showed greatest which was around 20%.
Subsequently , the number of income for Fuel and power in 1968 and in 2018 showed slightest which was around 5% for both. By contrast, for clothing and footware in 1968 and in 2018 showed less which was 10% and 5% respectively. Moreover, for Household goods it showed same for both the years which was around 10%.
Similarly, the number of income for Personal goods in 1968 and in 2018 showed minimal which was around 5% for both years. Whereas, for Transport in
1968 and in 2018 showed around 15% and 10% respectively. By contrast , for Leisure in 1968 showed lowest which was approximately 10% and in 2018 showed utmost which was around 20%.
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 student attempts to address the task by reporting several features from the chart comparing 1968 and 2018. However, there are significant inaccuracies in reading the data. For instance, the student states that the percentage of income spent on Food in 2018 was 'around 15%' (it was actually 17%, which is acceptable), but states that Housing in 1968 was the least at 10% when Fuel and power (6%), Personal goods (8%), and others were lower or comparable. Furthermore, phrasing like 'the number of weekly income' is imprecise since the data represents percentages rather than counts or amounts. While an overview is attempted, the lack of precision and inaccurate comparative statements restrict the score to Band 5.0.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0
The response is divided into an introduction, an overview paragraph, and detailed body paragraphs. However, the progression within paragraphs is somewhat mechanical and repetitive, relying heavily on formulas like 'in 1968 showed... and in 2018 showed...'. Cohesive devices are sometimes used awkwardly or inaccurately, such as starting a sentence with 'Subsequently,' or 'Similarly,' where the logical relationship is contrastive or simply listing. Paragraphing is attempted, but overall the cohesive structure is inadequate and repetitive, leading to a Band 5.0 rating.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is basic and repetitive, frequently reusing terms such as 'percentage of weekly income', 'showed', 'highest', and 'lowest'. There are also lexical inaccuracies, such as using 'number of income' instead of 'proportion of income' or 'spending'. Uncommon lexical items are rarely attempted successfully, and errors in word choice (e.g., 'slightest' used as a noun equivalent or degree descriptor) are noticeable. This level of lexical control corresponds to Band 5.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentences, but grammatical accuracy is weak. There are frequent errors with prepositions, verb forms, and superfluous words (e.g., 'The chart illustrates about...'). In addition, comparative and superlative structures are frequently clumsy or grammatically incomplete, such as 'shows maximum for Food. Whereas, in the same year it shows least for Fuel and power.' The frequency of errors causes some difficulty for the reader, fitting the Band 5 descriptor.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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