Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-24
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 6.5)
The bar chart presents the value of single nation trade in various categories between 2015 and 2016. Meanwhile, the table illustrates percentage change in every category of exports in 2016 compared with 2015.
Overall, it is clear that petroleum contributes the largest share in both years whereas, textiles represents the smallest proportion in export. Moreover, the most noticeable increase can be observed in textiles while, a dropped figures can be seen in gems and jewelry.
To begin with, petroleum contributes the highest proportion with 61 billion in 2015 while a 3% increase in 2016 and the figure went to 63 billion. Followed by engineering with 58 billion in 2015 whereas, an increase of 8.5% can be observed turning this into 62 billion in 2016.
In contrast, gem and jewelry follows an opposite trend, where we can see 43 billion in 2015 which then decreased about 5.18% and the proportion than turn into 40 billion. Agricultural products showed a quite similar pattern in both years without noticeable increase. An increase of 0.81% occurs but the figure remain the same 31 billion in both years.
Turning to textiles, a more modest increase can be observe in this trade. 26 billion in 2015 while a massive increase of 15.24% change this figure into 31 billion.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.0 |
| Overall | 6.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5
The student addresses all parts of the task by successfully summarizing the main features of the export earnings in 2015 and 2016 alongside the percentage changes. A clear overview is provided at the beginning, identifying petroleum as the largest export and textiles as the smallest, as well as noting the overall trends like the increase in textiles and decrease in gems and jewelry. Key data points are generally reported accurately, such as petroleum starting at 61 billion and rising to 63 billion with a 3% increase. However, there are minor inaccuracies in reporting; for instance, engineered goods were 57 billion in 2015 rather than 58 billion, and gems and jewelry decreased to 41 billion rather than 40 billion. Despite these minor discrepancies, the data is well selected and effectively compared.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0
The response is arranged logically with a clear introduction, an overview paragraph, and distinct body paragraphs dedicated to specific product categories. Cohesive devices are employed to guide the reader through the data, such as 'Overall', 'To begin with', 'In contrast', and 'Turning to textiles'. However, some of the referencing and transitional phrases feel slightly mechanical or repetitive, and paragraph transitions could be smoother. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate different ideas, ensuring the overall progression of the essay is easy to follow.
Lexical Resource: Band 6.0
The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for an Academic Task 1 response, utilizing terms such as 'proportion', 'category', 'decrease', and 'modest increase'. Less common vocabulary is attempted with varying degrees of success, leading to occasional awkward word choices or minor errors, such as 'single nation trade' instead of 'a nation's export earnings' and 'dropped figures' instead of 'a drop in figures'. Spelling and word formation are generally accurate, and vocabulary errors do not impede communication.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0
The writer uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, incorporating clauses like 'while a 3% increase in 2016 and the figure went to 63 billion'. However, there are several grammatical inaccuracies and awkward constructions throughout the text, such as missing verbs in compound descriptions ('while a dropped figures can be seen') and incorrect tense or preposition usage ('decreased about 5.18% and the proportion than turn into'). Punctuation is generally acceptable, but grammatical errors are frequent enough to prevent the response from achieving a higher band score.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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