Band 4.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-11-12

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

below shows the value of one country’s exports in various categories during 2015 and 2016. The table shows the percentage change in each category of exports in 2016 compared with 2015.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

Student answer (Band 4.0)

The given bar graph and list table provides information related to value of 4 export categories with earning of primary country's within two years of 2015 and 2016.

Overall, petroleum products remained at highest source of income in 2 years. While engineering earning at second position

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 3.0

The response identifies two relevant overall features: petroleum products were the highest-earning category, and engineering goods ranked second. However, it covers only a small part of the task and does not summarise the main changes or compare the other categories. It gives no figures, despite the chart showing values for five categories, and the statement that engineering remained second is not supported for 2016, when its value was slightly below petroleum products but still second. The response also refers to four categories, although five are shown. The required minimum length is not met, leaving the report substantially incomplete. To improve, include an overview of the main rises and fall, then select key figures to support comparisons across all five categories.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5

There is a basic attempt to organise the response: an introductory sentence is followed by an overview beginning with “Overall.” This gives the reader a simple starting structure, and the two stated features are related to the chart. However, the response ends after this brief overview, so it does not develop into a complete, logically progressing report. The second overview sentence, “While engineering earning at second position,” is also left incomplete, which interrupts the flow. There are no comparisons or supporting details to connect. For a clearer progression, use a short introduction, a complete overview, and one or two detail paragraphs grouped by the categories’ values or trends, using linking phrases to show contrasts and changes.

Lexical Resource: Band 4.5

The response uses some task-relevant vocabulary, including “bar graph,” “table,” “export categories,” “petroleum products,” and “source of income.” These terms make the general subject identifiable. However, the range is very limited, and several phrases are inaccurate or unnatural, such as “earning of primary country's” and “engineering earning at second position.” The wording “4 export categories” also misrepresents the five categories in the visual. More precise chart language would help describe values and trends, for example “export earnings,” “rose,” “fell,” “remained stable,” and “ranked second.” Aim to use these terms in accurate combinations and include vocabulary for comparing categories, rather than relying on broad phrases such as “source of income.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

The response attempts a simple introductory sentence and an overview, but grammatical control is uneven. In “The given bar graph and list table provides information,” the compound subject requires a plural verb, and the sentence is also missing articles and grammatical links in “related to value of 4 export categories.” The phrase “within two years of 2015 and 2016” is not formed clearly. The final sentence beginning “While engineering…” is a dependent clause without a main clause, so it is incomplete. Sentence structures are mostly simple, with little variety, and these errors make parts of the message difficult to follow. Practise complete sentences with clear subjects and verbs, and check agreement, articles, and clause boundaries when describing the chart.

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