Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-23
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 given bar graph depicts the information about earning fluctuation from the exports of five different sectors of one country between the year 2015 and 2016. The data is categorized in billion dollars.
Firstly, Petroleum products capture the highest percentage of export 2015 just above the 6 million dollars followed by Engineered goods 5.8 million dollars approximately. Secondly, Textile was ranked lowest among all others in 2015.
There was huge inclination noticed in the Textiles industries around 15.24% in the year 2016 whereas, Gems and Jewellery earnings reduced unto 5.18%. Also, there is unnoticeable increase in the agricultural products in 2016. The Engineered goods increase up to 3% in 2016 as compared to 2015.
Overall, earnings of the Petroleum products sector remain high in both years and the Engineered goods remain at second position in both years. All the categories followed the increasing trend except Gems and Jewelry.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which negatively impacts the score. While you have identified the main features, the analysis is somewhat superficial. You correctly mention the highest and lowest categories, but the description of the data is occasionally inaccurate (e.g., stating '6 million dollars' when the chart likely refers to billions). Furthermore, the report lacks a clear distinction between the absolute values in 2015 and the percentage changes in 2016, leading to some confusion in the presentation of data. To improve, ensure you provide a more precise summary of the trends and double-check your data interpretation against the provided visual aid.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. You use some cohesive devices like 'Firstly', 'Secondly', and 'Overall' to signal transitions. However, the flow between sentences is sometimes mechanical, and the referencing is occasionally unclear. For instance, the transition between the 2015 data and the 2016 percentage changes could be smoother. The paragraphing is appropriate, but the internal cohesion within the third paragraph is weak, as the jump between different categories feels disjointed. Increasing the variety of linking words and ensuring a more logical progression of ideas would improve the coherence of your writing.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
Your vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, but it lacks the precision and range expected for higher bands. You use some relevant terms like 'fluctuation', 'categorized', and 'inclination', but there are instances of awkward phrasing, such as 'reduced unto' and 'unnoticeable increase'. The word choice is sometimes repetitive, and there is a lack of sophisticated collocations. To reach a higher band, focus on using more precise academic vocabulary to describe trends, such as 'a marginal increase' instead of 'unnoticeable increase', and ensure your terminology accurately reflects the data provided in the prompt.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
You demonstrate a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally hinder clarity. Examples include 'Petroleum products capture the highest percentage of export 2015' (missing preposition) and 'Gems and Jewellery earnings reduced unto 5.18%' (incorrect preposition). There are also issues with article usage and subject-verb agreement throughout the text. While these errors do not completely impede communication, they are frequent enough to prevent a higher score. Focusing on proofreading for basic grammatical accuracy and refining your use of prepositions and articles will significantly enhance your writing.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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