Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-19

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 6.5)

the given bar chart compares export earnings in different categories in one particular country during 2015 and 2016, while the table shows the percentage change in each category between the two years.

overall, export earnings increased in four categories and declined in only one. petroleum products and engineered goods generated the highest earnings, while textiles showed the greatest percentage growth despite having the lowest total value.

in terms of total earnings, petroleum products were the top export in both years, rising from just over $60 billion in 2015 to approximately $65 billion in 2016, an increase of 3%. engineered goods also saw substantial growth of 8.5%, form $60 billion to about $64 billion, making it the second largest category.

the remaining categories had lower values. earnings from gems and jewellery fell by 5.18% from around$55 billion to just over $52 billion. in contrast, agricultural products experienced a marginal rise of 0.81% to about$44 billion. textiles, although the smallest sector, recorded the most dramatic increase of 15.24%, climbing from under $38 billion to roughly 443 billion.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

You have successfully identified the main features and provided a clear overview of the data. You accurately highlighted the trends in export earnings and made relevant comparisons between categories. The data is well-selected, and the key figures are correctly reported. However, there is a significant factual error in your final sentence where you state the textile value climbed to '443 billion', which is clearly a typo and inconsistent with the provided data. Aside from this, you covered all parts of the task well, providing a logical summary of the information presented in both the bar chart and the table.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The response is logically organized with a clear introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs that group the data effectively. You use cohesive devices such as 'in terms of', 'in contrast', and 'while' to link ideas. The progression of information is smooth, moving from general trends to specific category details. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the overview from the detailed analysis. To reach a higher band, ensure that all references are precise and avoid minor mechanical errors in punctuation, such as the missing space after the dollar sign in 'around$55 billion'.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey the information clearly. Phrases like 'generated the highest earnings', 'substantial growth', and 'marginal rise' are used effectively. You also use comparative language well, such as 'the most dramatic increase' and 'the smallest sector'. While the vocabulary is generally accurate and appropriate for an academic report, there are a few minor slips, such as the typo '443 billion' and the lack of spacing in 'around$55 billion'. These do not impede communication, but they slightly detract from the overall precision of your writing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures effectively. Your control of grammar is generally good, with accurate use of past tense verbs to describe the 2015-2016 data. There are some minor punctuation and formatting errors, such as the missing space after the dollar sign and the typo in the final figure. These are non-systematic errors that do not hinder the reader's understanding. To improve, ensure that you proofread for small typographical errors that can affect the professional tone of your report.

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

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