Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-04
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 chart shows the value of one country's exports in various categories during 2015 and 201. The table provides information about the percentage change in each category of export in 2016 compared with 2015.
Overall, the chart shows that in 2015, petroleum products were the highest and textiles is on lowest. Engineered goods were the second highest. the provding the percentage change in values from 2015 to 2016.Which exports increased in percentage, and which decreased?
Looking at the details of the chart, petroleum products in 216 is increased export earning 60.3 while in 2015 it was $ 60 bi ions. Engineered goods in 2015 were $50, but in 2016 export earnings increased were$ 60. Gems and jewellery were $ 45 in 2015, while they decreased in 2016 $ 50. Agricultural products remained quite stable at $40 in both years. Textiles were lowest in 2015 at $25, while in 2016 they increased to $30
The table provides information on the percentage change in each category of export. Looking in detail, the percentage of textiles increases by 15.24%, agricultural products increase by 0.81%, whereas gems and jewellery decrease by 5.18%, engineered goods increase by 8.5%, while the percentage of petroleum products increases by 3%.
Important figures that exports of petroleum products increased, while gems and jewellery decreased.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response covers the main features of the data, but the presentation is inconsistent. While you identify the highest and lowest categories, the data reporting is often inaccurate. For example, you state gems and jewellery decreased from $45 to $50, which is a contradiction. Additionally, the inclusion of rhetorical questions like 'Which exports increased in percentage, and which decreased?' is inappropriate for a formal report. The summary of the table data is repetitive, as you list the percentage changes after already discussing the values. To improve, ensure your data points are accurate and focus on comparing the categories rather than listing them individually.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into paragraphs, but the logical flow is hindered by awkward phrasing and repetitive structures. The use of cohesive devices is mechanical and sometimes confusing, such as the abrupt transition between the chart analysis and the table analysis. The final sentence is a fragmented summary that lacks a clear connection to the preceding text. To improve, use more sophisticated linking words to connect your ideas, such as 'In contrast,' 'Furthermore,' or 'Conversely,' and ensure that each paragraph has a clear, unified focus rather than jumping between different data sets.
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 word-choice errors, such as 'provding' (providing) and 'bi ions' (billions). You rely on basic verbs like 'shows' and 'increased' throughout the text. To achieve a higher score, try to incorporate more varied reporting verbs and nouns related to data trends, such as 'fluctuated,' 'remained constant,' 'a marginal increase,' or 'a significant decline.' Additionally, ensure you proofread for basic spelling errors which detract from the professional tone of your report.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Issues include subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'textiles is on lowest'), incorrect tense usage (e.g., 'petroleum products in 216 is increased'), and missing articles or prepositions. Punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly with currency symbols and spacing. While the meaning is generally understandable, the high frequency of errors prevents the text from reaching a higher band. Focus on mastering basic sentence construction and subject-verb agreement before attempting more complex structures.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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