Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-09

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 graph illustrates data about the earnings of a country by exporting different kinds of products over the course of two years from 2015 to 2016.

Overall, it can be seen that petroleum and engineering products were exported the most in both year 2015 and 2016, In contrast, Textile was the least exported product in both years. Furthermore, Petroleum products had an increase in exports, whereas Gems and Jewellery saw a decrease in their export.

Peroleum products brought in 70 and 71 billion dollars in export revenue in the years of 2015 and 2016, which were the largest amounts in both years. Meanwhile, Engineering goods were at approximately 67 billion in 2015 and 70 billion usd in 2016, following closely behind petroleum products. Gems and jewellery stood at 51 and 50 billion usd in 2015 and 2016, respectively. Agricultural and Textiles products were at 40, 40.5 billion and 35, and 41 billion in the years 2015 and 2016.

The percentage changes of these products when compared yearly(2015 and 2016) were as followed, 15.24% for Textile which was the highest among all, 8.5% for Engineered good at the second place, 5.18% for Gems and jewellery, 3% for Petroleum products, and 0.81% for Agricultural produce.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

You have successfully identified the main features of the data, including the highest and lowest export categories and the overall trends. You provided a clear overview and supported your points with specific data from the table. However, there is a significant discrepancy between your text and the provided data regarding the percentage changes. For instance, you stated the change for Textiles was 15.24%, whereas the table indicates a different figure. Accuracy in data reporting is crucial for Task 1. Additionally, while you mentioned the percentage changes, you did not clearly link them to the specific categories in a way that avoids confusion. Ensure that your data extraction is precise to achieve a higher band.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The response is logically organized into an introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs. You use some cohesive devices such as 'Meanwhile', 'In contrast', and 'Furthermore' to link ideas. However, the paragraphing is slightly disjointed, and some transitions feel mechanical. The final paragraph, which lists the percentage changes, lacks a smooth connection to the preceding analysis of the export values. Improving the flow between sentences and ensuring that each paragraph has a clear thematic focus would enhance the coherence of your writing. Overall, the structure is clear enough to follow, but the progression could be more sophisticated.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'export revenue', 'categories', and 'percentage changes'. There are some minor errors in word choice and capitalization, such as 'Peroleum' (spelling) and 'Engineered good' (should be 'Engineering goods'). You also use 'usd' which is acceptable but could be more formal. To reach a higher band, try to incorporate more varied synonyms for 'increase' and 'decrease' (e.g., 'surged', 'plummeted', 'fluctuated') and ensure consistent terminology throughout the report. Your vocabulary is sufficient to convey the meaning clearly, but it lacks the precision and flexibility required for higher bands.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as 'both year 2015 and 2016' (should be 'years'), 'were as followed' (should be 'as follows'), and punctuation issues, such as the comma splice in the second paragraph. While these errors do not impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. You show an attempt at complex structures, but the control over these is inconsistent. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and correct punctuation will help improve your accuracy. Aim for more error-free sentences to demonstrate better control over your grammar.

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

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