Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-06
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 5.5)
The figure illustrates the comparison of various categories of exports in terms of percentage in the 2015 and 2016.
Overall, the exports of petroleum products ends up to top in the year 2016 as compared to itself in 2015 and other categories during the both years whereas the textiles exports remained least among the other along with the agricultural products in 2016. The exports of gems and jewellery decrease in 2016 compared to 2015 and agricultural products exports remained almost stable during the both years.
In 2015, the petroleum products were at around 60 billion dollars which soared dramatically up to 65 billion dollars in 2016. Exports of engineering goods were as good as that of petroleum that is around 57 billion dollars in 2015 which increased significantly to approximately 63 billion dollars.
Exports of gems and jewellery declined about 5.8 percent in 2016 where as the agricultural products climbed modestly in the same year. Textiles exports were roughly at 35 billion dollars in 2015 which witnessed a sharp rise in 2016 making it around 43 billion dollars. The increase of textile exports was about 15.24 percent which is the highest among all the categories involved in the comparison.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
You have successfully identified the main features of the data and provided a clear overview. You included specific data points for both years and made relevant comparisons, such as noting the growth in petroleum and engineering exports. However, the response could be improved by ensuring all data categories are treated with equal clarity. For instance, while you mention the percentage change for gems and jewellery, you do not explicitly state the actual export values for that category, which makes the summary slightly uneven. To reach a higher band, ensure that the relationship between the percentage change and the absolute values is consistently explained across all categories mentioned.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, an overview paragraph, and two body paragraphs focusing on specific data points. The use of cohesive devices like 'whereas', 'in contrast', and 'in the same year' helps the reader follow the progression of ideas. However, some transitions are slightly mechanical, and the referencing could be smoother. For example, the phrase 'compared to itself' is awkward. Improving the flow between sentences and using a wider variety of linking words would enhance the overall coherence of the report.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey the information, including terms like 'soared', 'declined', and 'climbed modestly'. There are some minor issues with word choice and collocation, such as 'ends up to top' and 'remained least among the other'. These do not impede communication but indicate a need for more precise academic phrasing. To improve, focus on using more sophisticated collocations and ensuring that your vocabulary is consistently appropriate for a formal report style.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
You demonstrate a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical errors, such as 'during the both years' (should be 'during both years') and 'the exports of petroleum products ends up to top' (subject-verb agreement error). Additionally, there are some minor punctuation and article usage issues. To achieve a higher band, you should aim for more error-free sentences and ensure that your complex structures are used with greater accuracy.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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