Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-30

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 chart compares the trend of expenditure of weekly income earned by families in 1968 and 2018.

In almost half the century, interests have shifted considerably from food to leisure. In 1968, food and clothing was the major concern to families. However, in 2018 they are spending most of their income on housing, leisure and transport.

In 1998, people spent 35% of their weekly earnings on food and beverages, 10% on clothing and footwear and 8% on personal goods. Only around 6% was spent on fuel and power. On the other hand, in 2018 priorities shifted to leisure that made approximately 22% of weekly income. Around 19% was spent on housing and 14% on transport. Housing, transport and leisure were not as much of concerns back in 1968.

Expenditure on personal goods, clothing and fuel decreased over time. But spendings on household goods remained the same in both years approaching 8% of the income.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The response successfully covers all parts of the task by selecting and reporting the main features of the chart, making relevant comparisons between 1968 and 2018. An overview is present at the beginning, noting the shift from food to leisure. Key data points are accurately cited, such as food dropping from 35% to 17% and leisure rising to 22%. However, there is a minor chronological slip in the third paragraph where the writer states 'In 1998, people spent 35%...' instead of 1968. Despite this slip, the core trends are well-supported with relevant figures, fulfilling the requirements for Band 6.5 to 7.0.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The essay has a clear logical arrangement and progression. It begins with an introductory statement, moves into an overview, details specific data points in the third paragraph, and concludes with general trends in the final paragraph. Cohesive devices are used adequately, including transition words like 'However', 'On the other hand', and 'But'. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate ideas. Referencing is generally clear, though paragraph transitions could be smoother. This aligns well with the Band 6.5 to 7.0 descriptors.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully incorporating terms such as 'expenditure', 'priorities', 'earnings', and 'proportion'. There are some attempts at less common vocabulary, though occasional inaccuracies occur, such as 'spendings' (spending is typically uncountable) and the phrase 'interests have shifted considerably'. Spelling and word choices generally do not impede communication, placing the response solidly in the Band 6.0 category.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

The response employs a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, such as 'In almost half the century, interests have shifted considerably...' and 'Expenditure on personal goods, clothing and fuel decreased over time.' There are some minor grammatical errors, notably the incorrect year '1998' instead of '1968', and the use of 'spendings' as a plural noun. However, these errors do not impede communication and the majority of sentences are grammatically sound, warranting a Band 6.5.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

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