Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-12
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 provided bar graph depicts the amount of export earnings by five different sectors in 2015 and 2016. Additionally the table illustrates the proportion fluctuate in each category in the year of 2016 compared with 2015. However, the jewellery sector showed downward trend in 2016.
Overall, it is clear that all the sectors showed upward growth, except of gems and jewellery sector that showed 5.18% downward growth.
In 2015, petroleum products accounted for 70 billion Dollar which was the highest category to export in this year, whereas the textile sector showed the least amount of exports (approximately 35 billion Dollar). The second highest sector was engineered goods which exported an amount of around 65 billion Dollar. As well as gems and jewellery stood at nearly 55 billion Dollar. In 2016, the textile sector increased slightly and reached above two-fifth of a billion Dollar. Engineered goods and petroleum products moved upward as compared to the past year (above 70 billion Dollar). While agriculture products showed the same result in both years (around 41 billion Dollar).
After observing the table showing proportion changes in product categories in 2015 and 2016. Textile and engineered goods grew upward by 15.24% and 8.5% and petroleum products and agriculture rose slightly by 3% and 0.81% respectively. While gems and jewellery experienced a gradual drop in 2016. (5.18%)
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0
The student successfully identifies and reports the main features of both the bar graph and the table, making appropriate comparisons between categories such as petroleum products and textiles. The overview clearly highlights the general upward trends alongside the single exception in the gems and jewellery sector. Data points from 2015 and 2016 are cited correctly, such as petroleum products accounting for 70 billion dollars. However, there are minor inaccuracies in reporting details, for instance, stating the textile sector reached 'above two-fifth of a billion Dollar', which misinterprets the scale of the chart. Despite this slight numerical misinterpretation, the overall response covers all parts of the task well and provides clear supported ideas, placing it firmly at a Band 6.5.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is organized into logical paragraphs, beginning with an introduction, followed by an overview, body paragraphs detailing the figures, and a final paragraph referencing the percentage changes. Cohesive devices are used to connect ideas, such as 'whereas', 'while', and 'in contrast'. However, some structural links are awkward or grammatically incomplete, such as 'Additionally the table illustrates the proportion fluctuate' and starting a sentence with 'As well as gems and jewellery stood at nearly 55 billion Dollar'. Paragraphing is present and separates the data and the table information reasonably well, but the overall logical progression between sentences occasionally feels mechanical. This corresponds to a Band 6.0.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for task 1, utilizing terms such as 'export earnings', 'sector', 'proportion', 'upward trend', and 'gradual drop'. There are, however, noticeable lexical and collocation errors throughout the text. For instance, the phrase 'the proportion fluctuate' uses the incorrect word form, and 'reached above two-fifth of a billion Dollar' reflects imprecise numerical vocabulary. Furthermore, 'grew upward' is slightly redundant. While these errors do not impede overall communication, they prevent the vocabulary from reaching a higher band level. This performance aligns with Band 6.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The writer attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, incorporating relative clauses and comparative structures like 'accounting for 70 billion Dollar which was the highest category'. However, there is a recurring presence of grammatical errors. Examples include missing commas after introductory connectors ('Additionally', 'In 2016'), incorrect prepositional usage and fragment sentences such as 'After observing the table showing proportion changes in product categories in 2015 and 2016.', which lacks a main clause. Despite these errors, the meaning remains mostly clear and does not severely impede understanding, matching the criteria for Band 6.0.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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