Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-10-21

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 5.5)

This chart depicts the information on the spending done by the families in the years 1968 and 2018.

In 2018, the large amount of income that a family spent was on leisure that is 23 percentage followed by 19 percentage on the housing part, and then the third major expenditure was on food which was around 17 per cent. The rest of the necessities were below 15 per cent.

In the year 1968, most of the income was spent on food area which was 35 percentage and the least amount spent was on fuel and power. After Food, housing, clothing and footwear consumed only 10 per cent of their income.

In comparison between the two years, the food area was the most frequent area where the family expenses went in 1968. However, in 2018, leisure became the most popular and highest expense area where families like to spend their income.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the main shift clearly: food was the largest category in 1968, while leisure led in 2018. Several figures are also reported accurately, including food at 35% and the approximate 2018 shares for leisure, housing and food. However, the overview is not fully developed, and some comparisons are missing. For example, housing rose from 10% to 19%, while transport increased from 8% to 14%; these are important changes that could support your summary. The statement that the remaining necessities were below 15% is too broad, since transport was 14% and leisure was the largest category. Also, clothing and footwear tied with housing at 10% in 1968, rather than following food as a single category. Select the key rises and falls and compare them explicitly.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a generally clear sequence: it introduces the chart, describes 2018, moves back to 1968, and ends with a comparison. This makes the main message easy to follow. Paragraphing also separates the years and the concluding comparison. However, the organisation is somewhat list-like, and the final paragraph repeats the contrast already made in the earlier descriptions rather than adding a fuller synthesis. Linking phrases such as “After Food” and “In comparison between the two years” help signal relationships, but the latter is awkwardly formed and the connections between individual categories are limited. Grouping the main increases together and the decreases together would create a more purposeful progression and reduce repetition.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant vocabulary for describing the chart, including “income,” “expenditure,” “least,” and “highest,” so the topic remains clear. However, several expressions are imprecise or unnatural, such as “the spending done by the families,” “food area,” and “housing part.” Repeated use of “spent” and “area” also limits the range. Some word choices affect accuracy: “most frequent area” does not describe the largest share of spending, and “necessities” is not a suitable label for all the remaining categories. Use standard chart language and vary it carefully, for example, “accounted for,” “share of weekly income,” and “category.” Check spelling and established forms such as “footwear” as well.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

Your meaning is generally understandable, and you attempt both simple statements and longer sentences, including the contrast beginning “However, in 2018…”. Some grammatical patterns are not controlled consistently. For example, “the large amount of income that a family spent was on leisure that is 23 percentage” has an awkward clause structure, while “In comparison between the two years” uses an incorrect prepositional pattern. The sentence “After Food, housing, clothing and footwear consumed only 10 per cent” also makes the categories the subject in a way that obscures who spent the income. Aim for clearer structures such as “Families spent the largest share on leisure, at about 23%.” Use consistent past-tense reporting and check sentence boundaries and punctuation as you revise.

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