Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-20

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 bar chart compares the export earnings of five different product categories in 2015 and 2016, while the table shows the percentage change in their values over the same period.

Overall, petroleum products and engineered goods generated the highest export earnings in both years. In contrast, textiles had the lowest earnings in 2015. Most product categories experienced an increase in export value, with textiles showing the largest percentage growth, while gems and jewellery was the only category to decline.

In 2015, petroleum products were the highest-earning category, at approximately $61 billion, followed by engineered goods at around $60 billion. The figure for gems and jewellery was about $54 billion. Agricultural products and textiles earned considerably less, at approximately $43 billion and $37 billion respectively.

In 2016, export earnings from petroleum products increased slightly to about $63 billion, representing a 3% rise. Engineered goods also grew, reaching approximately $62 billion, although the increase was relatively small. Earnings from agricultural products rose marginally to around $44 billion, an increase of just 0.81%.

By contrast, the value of gems and jewellery exports fell from about $54 billion to $52 billion, which was a decrease of 5.18%. Textiles showed the most significant growth, increasing from approximately $37 billion to $43 billion. This represented a substantial rise of 15.24%, making it the category with the largest percentage increase.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The student effectively summarizes the data presented in the bar chart and table, accurately reporting key figures for export earnings. The main features are clearly highlighted, with comparisons made between different categories. However, some minor details could have been emphasized better, such as the significant change percentages for engineered goods. Overall, the response addresses the task appropriately, demonstrating clear understanding, thus warranting a strong score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The coherence and cohesion of the essay are well-structured; ideas flow logically from one to another. The use of linking words, such as "overall," "by contrast," and "in contrast," helps connect ideas effectively. However, the elaboration in some sections could be improved with better transitions between observations, which would enhance the logical flow. Overall, the student maintains coherence throughout the text, deserving a solid band score.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The lexical resource demonstrates a varied vocabulary, such as phrases like "export earnings," "highest-earning category," and "substantial rise," contributing to a clear understanding. However, the use of simpler terms like "a little bit bigger" could be replaced with more precise language. The response reflects a good command of vocabulary suited for an academic task, but slight improvements can be made in word choice detail for even greater clarity and precision.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The grammatical range is largely varied and demonstrates an effective command of sentence structures, including some complex sentences. There are minor errors in punctuation and some areas could benefit from stronger syntactic structures, but overall, these do not significantly hinder comprehension. The sentence formation mostly maintains clarity, thus supporting a competent score.

Overall feedback

The student displays a solid command of English in the task, effectively summarizing and comparing data from the provided chart and table. There is good clarity in reporting numbers and percentages, with an appropriate balance of detail. To achieve an even higher score, focus on improving transitions between different comparisons and ensuring all figures are clearly contextualized. Additionally, enhancing vocabulary with more precise terms and reducing simple phrases will elevate lexical quality. Attention to minor grammatical accuracy could also contribute to a more polished final response.

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

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