Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-26
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 bar chart compares a country’s exports in various categories during 2015 and 2016. The table illustrates the change in percentage in each category of exports in 2016 compared with 2015.
Overall, export earnings increased in four of the five categories,except one category which was Gems and jewellery which dropped approximately 5.18% in 2016. Engineered goods textile rose by 15.24%, representing the highest percentage change in 2016 on the chart.
On the other hand, there was engineered goods category increased by 8.5% in 2016. Agriculture goods increased slightly by 0.81% in 2016. Petroleum products increased by 3% compared to 2015.
Among all the categories, Gems and jewellery declined by 5.18% in 2016, in 2015 the earning of that category was around 60 billion dollars then it dropped significantly and went down to around 50 billion dollars which made it lowest percentage change value category. On top of that, there was textile category which increased significantly by 15.24% and became highest percentage change category among all other category in 2016.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| 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, such as the overall growth in most categories and the specific decline in Gems and jewellery. However, the report lacks a clear overview of the total export values for 2015, which are essential for context. While you mention the percentage changes, the description of the actual values is slightly inaccurate; for instance, stating that Gems and jewellery dropped from 60 billion to 50 billion is a specific interpretation that may not be fully supported by the provided table format. To improve, ensure you clearly distinguish between the percentage change and the absolute values, and provide a more comprehensive summary of the trends across both years.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is organised into logical paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the information. You use some cohesive devices like 'Overall', 'On the other hand', and 'Among all the categories'. However, the flow between sentences is sometimes mechanical, and the transition between the second and third paragraphs is abrupt. The referencing is occasionally unclear, such as in the phrase 'except one category which was Gems and jewellery', which could be phrased more smoothly. To reach a higher band, focus on using a wider variety of linking words and ensuring that each paragraph has a clear, unified focus.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
You have a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey the main points, using terms like 'export earnings', 'percentage change', and 'declined'. However, there is some repetition of basic verbs like 'increased' and 'dropped'. There are also minor issues with word choice and collocation, such as 'lowest percentage change value category', which is slightly awkward. To improve, try to incorporate more precise synonyms for 'increase' and 'decrease' (e.g., 'surged', 'plummeted', 'fluctuated') and ensure that your phrasing sounds more natural and academic.
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 'there was engineered goods category increased' (which should be 'the engineered goods category increased') and 'except one category which was Gems and jewellery' (which lacks proper punctuation). Additionally, some sentences are slightly fragmented or lack necessary articles. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of articles. Increasing the variety of complex sentence structures while maintaining accuracy will help you achieve a higher band score.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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