Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-29
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 5.0)
The bar illustrates the value of exports in various categories and percentage change in each category for one country between 2015 and 2016.
After analysing the bar chart, export earnings of petroleum products increased compared to previous year and the export earning increased by 3 percent. In the terms of engineered goods export earnings increased compared to 2015 and the export earning increased by 8.5 percent. Furthermore, the bar chart illustrates the gems and jewellery decreased compared to 2015 and the export earning decreased 5.18 percent. Agricultural products are slightly increased compared to 2015 and the export earning slightly increased by 0.81 percent. Finally textiles export earnings increased compared to 2015 and the export earning increased by 15.24 percent. Overall,
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0
The response is significantly under-length, containing only 120 words compared to the required 150 words. This directly impacts Task Achievement, as the student cannot fully develop their ideas or properly summarise all main features of the chart and table. While the student correctly identifies the general topics (petroleum products, engineered goods, gems and jewellery, agricultural products, and textiles) and attempts to report both absolute figures and percentage changes, the lack of depth and incomplete conclusion prevent a higher score. To reach a higher band, the student must ensure the word count is met and provide a more comprehensive overview comparing the categories rather than merely listing each one mechanically.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0
The response suffers from severe issues with paragraphing, tailing off abruptly with an unfinished sentence ('Overall,') and consisting of a single repetitive block of text after the introduction. Cohesive devices are extremely basic and mechanical, relying heavily on repetitive phrases such as 'compared to 2015 and the export earning increased by'. While there is a basic logical sequence moving through the categories, the lack of proper paragraphing, absence of a completed overview, and repetitive transitional structures mean the organisation cannot be considered fully coherent. To improve, the student should structure the response into clear paragraphs, including an introduction, overview, and well-grouped body paragraphs, while using a wider variety of cohesive devices.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is basic and repetitive, frequently reusing identical phrases like 'export earnings' and 'increased compared to 2015'. There is little attempt to use less common lexical items or paraphrase the prompt effectively. However, the basic vocabulary chosen is generally appropriate for the context, and communication is not impeded by lexical errors. Spelling is accurate. To achieve a higher band score, the student needs to demonstrate a wider range of vocabulary by using synonyms, verbs of change (e.g., 'rose', 'experienced a growth of', 'declined'), and more precise nouns or adjectives to describe economic data.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The response relies on simple, repetitive sentence structures, such as subject-verb-complement clauses ('export earnings of petroleum products increased...'). There are very few complex structures attempted. Grammatically, there are some minor awkward phrasings like 'In the terms of engineered goods', but overall, the simple sentences constructed are largely accurate with correct verb forms. Punctuation is generally acceptable, though the response cuts off mid-sentence at the end. To improve grammatical range and accuracy, the student should incorporate a variety of complex sentence structures, such as relative clauses or subordinate clauses of concession and time, while maintaining good control over grammar.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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