Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-26
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 6.0)
The bar chart compares the exports of a country of various categories in 2015 and 2016, and the tables shows the percentage changes in each category of exports in 2016 compared to the previous year.
Overall, petroleum products had the highest export value throughout both the years, while textiles had the lowest. Agriculture was the only sector experiencing a negative percentage change.
Petroleum products' exports were more than 60 billion $ in 2015, which increased by 3% in 2016. Engineered goods marked a significant increase of 8% from less than 60 billion $ in 2015 to surpassing the 60 billion mark in the following year. Exports of gems and jewellery were 50 billion $ in 2015. It is the only sector in the list which experienced a downfall, which was of 5.18% in 2016.
Agricultural products' numbers were 40 billion $ in 2015, which showed the least increment among all ,of merely 0.81%. Lastly, textiles had the least numbers of 35 billion $ in 2015, but marked the greatest change value of 15.24% in the subsequent year.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.0 |
| Overall | 6.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5
The student addresses all parts of the task by reporting on both the bar chart and the table. An overview is successfully provided, capturing the highest and lowest export sectors as well as the sole negative trend. However, there are notable factual inaccuracies regarding the data points. For instance, the student states that 'gems and jewellery were 50 billion $ in 2015', whereas the visual data shows approximately 43 billion. Similarly, agricultural products are stated to be '40 billion $', but the chart shows around 31 billion. Furthermore, the text claims agriculture was the only sector experiencing a negative percentage change, whereas the table correctly shows gems and jewellery had a decrease of 5.18%. These data misreadings limit the score for this criterion to Band 5.5.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0
The response is logically organized with a clear overall progression. It begins with an introductory paragraph paraphrasing the prompt, followed by an overview paragraph, and then body paragraphs detailing specific categories. Cohesive devices are used adequately to guide the reader through the data, such as 'Overall', 'while', and 'Lastly'. Paragraphing is appropriate, with each section serving a distinct purpose. Referencing is generally clear, though occasional transitional links could be smoother. The overall structure demonstrates a coherent arrangement, fitting the requirements for a Band 6.5.
Lexical Resource: Band 6.0
The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for the task, incorporating terms such as 'category', 'export value', 'negative percentage change', and 'subsequent year'. There are some attempts at less common vocabulary, though with occasional inaccuracies or awkward phrasings like 'least numbers' instead of 'lowest figures' or 'greatest change value'. Spelling and word choice are generally clear enough not to impede communication, but the lexical range lacks precision and flexibility. This performance aligns well with Band 6.0 descriptors.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0
The writing displays a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, utilizing relative clauses and subordinate structures successfully in sentences like 'Petroleum products' exports were more than 60 billion $ in 2015, which increased by 3% in 2016.' There are some minor grammatical errors and awkward punctuation placements, such as placing the currency symbol after the number ('60 billion $') and spacing issues around commas ('all ,of'). However, these errors do not impede communication. The control of grammar is reasonably sound for a Band 6.0.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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