Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)

The bar chart illustrates changes in the proportion of weekly expenditure by families in a particular country across eight categories, namely food, housing, fuel and power, clothing and footwear, household goods, personal goods, transport, and leisure, between 1968 and 2018.

Overall, it is evident that the figures varied considerably across the categories, with some recording substantially higher figures, while another registered the lowest figure. Food recorded the highest proportion in the first year, whereas personal goods recorded the lowest figure in the second year. Meanwhile, household goods remained comparatively stable over the given year.

Looking at the details, Leisure expenditure stood at approximately 8% in 1968, after which transport, personal and household goods remained relatively unchanged at roughly 7% in 1968. Subsequently, clothing and footwear, housing expenditures before rising to precisely 10% in the first year. However, food expenditure rose sharply to slightly above 35% in the same year.

Looking most closely at the data, Leisure expenditure started at approximately 23% in 2018 before falling to just under 14% in the same year. Afterwards, personal goods and fuel and power expenditure remained comparatively stable at nearly 4% in 2018 and then housing expenditure went up to close to 18% in 2018.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

The student provides a good introduction outlining the chart and categories. However, the overview is rather weak, focusing on generic statements rather than capturing the most striking overarching trends, such as the dramatic decrease in food spending versus the rise in leisure. In the body paragraphs, the data handling becomes confused and inaccurate. For instance, the student states that 'Leisure expenditure stood at approximately 8% in 1968' (when it was actually 9%) and later claims leisure was 'approximately 23% in 2018' before falling, which misreads the chart's comparison entirely. Several data points are jumbled, mixing up categories and years. While all categories are mentioned, the lack of accurate reporting and meaningful comparisons keeps this at a Band 5.0 level.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response is structured into an introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs, showing an attempt at logical organisation. Paragraphing is used to separate different parts of the visual data. However, the progression within the body paragraphs is frequently disjointed and confusing. Transitional phrases like 'Afterwards' and 'Looking most closely at the data' are used mechanically and do not accurately reflect logical relationships between the data points. Cohesive devices are sometimes inaccurate or repetitive, and referencing is occasionally unclear, making the flow difficult to follow in places. This corresponds to a Band 5.0 for Coherence and Cohesion.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The student demonstrates an adequate vocabulary range for the task, successfully using terms such as 'proportion', 'expenditure', 'category', 'stable', and 'sharply'. There are attempts to use less common vocabulary, though some collocations and word choices are awkward or imprecise (e.g., 'recording substantially higher figures, while another registered the lowest figure'). Spelling is generally accurate, and vocabulary errors do not severely impede overall communication, though they prevent the response from achieving a higher band. This represents a solid Band 6.0 performance for Lexical Resource.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating some control over grammar. The student attempts complex structures, such as introductory participial phrases ('Looking at the details') and relative clauses. However, there are notable grammatical errors and awkward phrasings, particularly incomplete or malformed structures like 'Subsequently, clothing and footwear, housing expenditures before rising to precisely 10% in the first year.' Punctuation and verb tense consistency are occasionally faulty. These errors cause some difficulty for the reader but do not completely obscure the meaning, fitting the Band 5.0 descriptors.

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