Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-29
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 bar chart illustrates the information about how families spent their weekly income in 1968 and 2018.
Overall, it is evident that spending on food accounted for the largest proportion in 1968, while expenditure on fuel and power representd the smallest persentage in 1968. Furthermore, spending on household goods were relatively same in both years.
Looking first at food expenditure, the figure stood at 35% in 1968, then it decreased to 17% in 2018. The figure for housing accounted for 10% in 1968, then it increased to 19% in 2018. Furthermore, spending on fuel and power represented the lowest percentage with 6% in 1968 and 4% in 2018. The figure for clothing and footwear accounted for 10% in 1968, then it decreased to 5% in 2018.
Turning to other spendings, the figure for household goods were relatively same in both years, while personal goods made up 8% in 1968 and 4% in 2018. In addition, the figure for transport accounted for 8% and 14% in 1968 and 2018, respectively. Lastly, spending on leisure accounted for 9% in 1968 then it increased to 22%, approximately in 2018.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 6.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5
The student successfully addresses all parts of the task by selecting and reporting the main features of the chart. An appropriate overall trend is given, and key data points such as the high percentage for food in 1968 (35%) and leisure in 2018 (22%) are correctly cited. Comparisons are made between the two years, fulfilling the prompt requirements. However, there is a minor oversight regarding the smallest percentage in 1968: the student states that fuel and power represented the smallest percentage (6%), but personal goods and transport were also at 8%, making fuel and power indeed the lowest, though the phrasing regarding categories is slightly imprecise. Overall, the task is well covered with clear and accurate reporting of data.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5
The response is logically organised with a clear overall progression. It begins with an introduction, followed by an overview paragraph, and then detailed body paragraphs grouping data logically (food, housing, fuel/power, clothing; and then other spendings). Paragraphing is used appropriately. Cohesive devices such as 'Looking first at', 'Furthermore', and 'Turning to other spendings' are employed to guide the reader through the data. However, there are minor instances of repetitive cohesive framing (such as starting multiple sentences with 'The figure for...'), which prevents the cohesion from being entirely seamless, aligning well with Band 7 descriptors.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for this academic task, including terms like 'proportion', 'expenditure', 'represented', and 'accounted for'. There are some spelling and lexical errors, such as 'representd' and 'persentage', as well as awkward phrasing like 'spending on household goods were relatively same' instead of 'was relatively the same'. Less common vocabulary is attempted with mixed success. Because of these vocabulary and spelling inaccuracies which slightly detract from precision, the lexical resource is best placed at Band 6.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5
The writer attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, utilizing relative clauses and time markers effectively. There are several grammatical errors present throughout the text, such as subject-verb agreement issues ('spending on household goods were relatively same' instead of 'was'), typographical errors, and a misplaced comma in 'increased to 22%, approximately in 2018'. While these errors do not impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent the grammar score from reaching Band 7, fitting comfortably within the Band 6 descriptor where a mix of structures is accompanied by some persistent errors.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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