The graphs show changes in spending habits of people in the UK between 1971 and 2001.
Sample Response
The pie charts provide a comparison of the differencesa statistical comparison on the difference in spending by UK residentsthe UK residents in 1971 and 2001. According to the chartsillustration, the largest share of expenditurethe largest proportion of spending by people in the UKBrits in 1971 was on petrol, 36% too be exact, which was four and a half times as high4 times higher than spending on this categorytheir cost in this item in 2001. The second-largest share of spendingsecond highest spending in 1971 was on furniture, which constituted 32% of total expenditureall costs. Expenses on food remained approximately on the same level with one difference - in 1971, people preferred more to go to restaurants, while in 2001 they split up those to 14% to buy food for themselves and 14% to eat outside. DeleteIt is interesting to note that almost half (43%) of the spending by UK residentsbudget of the UK citizens was spent on carsinvested in cars in 2001. SpendingCosts on computers increased from 7% in 1971 to 12 % in 2001. Overall, the spending habits of the British significantly changed during the period. Whereas in 1971 people spend most of the money for furniture and fuel, cars and computers have become the main investment in 2001.
Why this response received Band 6.5
The response identifies the dominant categories in both years and uses relevant figures to show the major shift towards cars. Its main limitation is imprecise interpretation: the petrol ratio is only approximate, the substantial fall in furniture spending is not directly compared, and computers are overstated as a main 2001 expense. Prioritise a more complete, accurately qualified overview that compares the largest rises and falls.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Achievement
The response presents a clear overview and several accurate key figures, although one major fall is underdeveloped and computers are overstated in the final comparison.
Compare the sharp rises and falls directly, especially furniture from 32% to 8%, and avoid calling computers a main 2001 expense.
Coherence and Cohesion
The information progresses sensibly from 1971 to 2001 and uses linking effectively, but it is presented as one long paragraph.
Separate the introduction and overview from two logically grouped detail paragraphs to make the comparisons easier to follow.
Lexical Resource
There is sufficient range for the task, but several collocations are awkward, including references to costs, splitting expenses, and investment.
Use precise chart language such as spending accounted for, fell to, and represented the largest share.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A mix of simple and complex sentences communicates meaning clearly, though tense, word-form, and construction errors recur.
Proofread past-tense reporting and comparative structures, particularly forms such as people spent and four and a half times as high.
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IELTS Academic Writing Task 1
The graphs show changes in spending habits of people in the UK between 1971 and 2001.
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.