Band 4.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 4.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-22
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 4.5)
The bar chart illustrates the export of country in different categories in the years 2015 and 2016. The table below depicts the change in percentage during 2015 and 2016 in various categories mentioned.
Overall, textile industry had the highest percentage change in the export during 2016 compared to 2015. Petroleum products had the highest contribution in the export during both 2015 and 2016.
During the year 2015, Petroleum industry had the largest contribution in the exports
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 4.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 4.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 4.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.0
The student attempts to summarise the visual data by mentioning the bar chart and table, and correctly identifies a couple of main features, such as petroleum products having the highest contribution and textiles having the highest percentage change. However, the response is severely truncated at only 76 words, failing to meet the minimum requirement of 150 words. Furthermore, the response is incomplete, cutting off mid-sentence ('During the year 2015, Petroleum industry had the largest contribution in the exports'). Because the task is only partially addressed due to length and lack of development, it falls into the lower bands.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 4.5
The response begins with a standard introductory sentence and attempts basic paragraphing, separating the introduction from the overview. However, because the text stops abruptly after just a few sentences and an incomplete thought, it is impossible to evaluate full cohesive progression or the logical sequencing of a complete body paragraph. The cohesive devices used ('Overall') are basic, but appropriate for what is present.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The student demonstrates an adequate basic vocabulary relevant to the visual data, using terms like 'bar chart', 'export', 'percentage change', and 'categories'. Phrases such as 'highest contribution' and 'highest percentage change' are functionally accurate. However, the range is extremely limited due to the shortness of the text, and there are awkward collocations such as 'export of country' missing a plural or article, preventing a higher score.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The student uses simple and moderately complex sentence structures correctly in the opening sentences, such as 'The bar chart illustrates the export of country in different categories...'. Grammatical accuracy in the completed sentences is generally sound, with correct verb tenses used for past data. However, the range of structures is severely limited by the brief length, and the response ends with an unfinished sentence, reflecting poor control over task completion.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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