Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-21

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 second chart shows the percentage change in their values.

Overall, export earnings increased for most products in 2016. Engineered goods generated the highest amount of revenue in both years, whereas agricultural products had the lowest earnings. Petroleum products also showed a slight increase, while gems and jewellery experienced a decline.

In 2015, petroleum products earned approximately $60 billion, rising to about $62 billion in 2016, which represents a 3% increase. Earnings from engineered goods increased from around $62 billion to $65 billion, an 8.5% rise. In contrast, gems and jewellery fell from approximately $54 billion to $51 billion, a decrease of 5.18%. Agricultural products remained almost unchanged, increasing by only 0.81%. Finally, textiles showed a noticeable rise, from about $35 billion in 2015 to nearly $40 billion in 2016.The that explanation follow

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response covers all parts of the task well. You have successfully identified the main features, such as the highest and lowest earners, and provided relevant comparisons between the two years. The inclusion of specific data points for all categories demonstrates a good grasp of the information provided. However, the conclusion is incomplete, as the final sentence 'The that explanation follow' is incoherent and appears to be a stray fragment. To reach a higher band, ensure that all parts of the summary are fully developed and that the response concludes in a grammatically complete manner without extraneous text.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response is logically organized with a clear introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs that group information effectively. Cohesive devices such as 'In contrast', 'whereas', and 'finally' are used appropriately to guide the reader through the data. Paragraphing is used sufficiently to separate the overview from the detailed analysis. The main issue is the final sentence, which lacks logical connection to the rest of the text and disrupts the flow of the response. Improving the transition between the final data point and the conclusion would enhance the overall coherence.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the data, including terms like 'generated', 'revenue', 'experienced a decline', and 'noticeable rise'. The use of 'approximately' and 'nearly' shows an awareness of the need for precision when reporting data. While the vocabulary is adequate for the task, it lacks the more sophisticated or 'less common' lexical items that would elevate the response to a higher band. The word choice is generally accurate and appropriate for an academic report, with no significant errors that impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You have successfully used comparative structures and subordinate clauses, such as 'which represents a 3% increase'. Most sentences are error-free, and the grammar is generally controlled. However, the final sentence is grammatically broken and nonsensical, which is a significant error. Aside from this, the punctuation and sentence construction are generally sound. To improve, focus on ensuring that every sentence is complete and grammatically correct, avoiding any fragments or unfinished thoughts at the end of your writing.

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

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