Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-21
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 shows the export earnings in billion dollars across product categories in the year 2015 and 2016, whereas the table provides information about the changes in percentage in value from the year 2015 to 2016, across petroleum and engineered goods, agricultural products, textiles as well as gems and jewellery.
From the given data, we undertand that petroleum products have been the highest export earning service with rise in sales when compared to the export numbers in billions from 2015 and to 2016 data. Although the maximum change in value has been in the textile category, with a rise of 15.24%. The lowest export earning have been from the textiles category, with only 40 to 45 billions in sales from 2015 to 2016.
The lowest percantage change has been the agricultural products category with only 0.81%. However it has managed to sustain similar export earnings when comapred to the previous year.
On comparison, we can conclude that there have been quite a few changes in the percentage values as well as the export earnings during the span of 2015 and 2016.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The student attempts to address both parts of the prompt by describing the bar chart and the table. However, there are significant factual inaccuracies regarding the data. For instance, the student states that the lowest export earnings have been from the textiles category, with only 40 to 45 billions in sales, whereas the chart shows textiles started at 26 billion in 2015 and reached 31 billion in 2016. Furthermore, referring to petroleum products as an export earning 'service' is incorrect, as these are physical goods. While some main features like the highest earner and the greatest percentage change are noted, the misreading of specific data points prevents the response from achieving a higher band score.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is structured into four paragraphs, including an introduction, two body paragraphs, and a brief concluding sentence. However, the logical progression is hindered by confusing statements and factual errors within the body. Cohesive devices such as 'Although', 'However', and 'On comparison' are used, but their application is sometimes awkward or mechanically forced, as seen in the sentence starting with 'Although the maximum change...' which is left as a fragment. Paragraphing is present, but the internal cohesion of ideas requires better control to ensure smooth reading.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary used is adequate for basic description, incorporating terms like 'export earnings', 'product categories', and 'percentage change'. However, there are notable lexical inaccuracies, such as referring to manufactured goods as a 'service'. Spelling errors also occur, such as 'undertand' instead of 'understand' and 'percantage' instead of 'percentage'. The range of vocabulary is somewhat limited and repetitive, lacking the flexibility and precision needed for a higher band.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The student demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as 'The bar chart shows... whereas the table provides...' and 'From the given data, we understand that...'. Grammatical control is variable. There are issues with article usage and prepositional phrasing, and some sentences lack clear predication (e.g., 'The lowest percantage change has been the agricultural products category...'). Errors do not completely impede communication, but they are frequent enough to lower the overall grammatical score.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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