Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-28
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 compared the information regarding export earnings of country on multiple categories between time period of 2015 and 2016 .
Overall, we can saw that the petroleum product dominating the export on both years. Conversely textiles products remains at the last position on export items.
Analysing the data clearly,we can see that there was a five different products of export item . Petroleum product value is around 63$ billion and increased slowly while the engineering goods also following it so closely by around 60$ billion . The combined these 2 item makes around 130$ billion of export.However ,gems and jewellery situated on the third position it was decreased as compared to past by 2,3$ billion and remains on almost 50$ billion.
Continuing with it, agricultural products also has increased as compared to past by 1,2$ billion and remains on 45,46$ billion.somehow textiles export has been increased by rapidly by 8,9$ billion to became 42,43$ billion.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main features of the data, including the overall trends and specific category values. However, the analysis is somewhat inconsistent. For instance, the student mentions 'petroleum product' as the leader but provides figures that are slightly inaccurate or confusingly formatted (e.g., '63$ billion'). The comparison between 2015 and 2016 is attempted, but the interpretation of the percentage change data is unclear, as the student focuses on absolute values while misinterpreting the provided percentage shifts. To reach a higher band, ensure that the data points are accurately transcribed and that the relationship between the categories and the percentage changes is clearly explained.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is often mechanical or awkward, such as 'Continuing with it' and 'somehow textiles export'. The progression of ideas is sometimes disjointed, particularly when moving between the overview and the specific data points. While there is an attempt to use linking words, they do not always create a smooth flow between sentences. Improving the variety and precision of transition signals would significantly enhance the logical flow of the report.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks the precision required for a higher band. There are several instances of awkward phrasing and incorrect word choice, such as 'we can saw that' instead of 'we can see that' and 'dominating the export' instead of 'dominated exports'. Additionally, the formatting of numbers (e.g., '2,3$ billion') is non-standard for English academic writing. The range of vocabulary is limited, relying on repetitive structures to describe increases and decreases. Expanding the repertoire of verbs and adjectives used to describe trends would improve the quality of the response.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Issues include subject-verb agreement ('textiles products remains'), incorrect tense usage ('we can saw'), and awkward sentence construction ('the combined these 2 item makes'). Punctuation is also problematic, with inconsistent spacing around commas and currency symbols. While the student attempts some complex structures, they are often marred by errors. To improve, the student should focus on basic sentence construction, ensuring that subjects and verbs agree and that tense usage is consistent throughout the report.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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