Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)

The bar illustrates the value of exports in various categories and the percentage change in each category for one country between 2015 and 2016.

After analysing the bar chart, the export earnings of petroleum products increased compared to previous year and the export earning increased by 3 percent. In terms of engineered goods export earnings increased compared to 2015 and the export earnings increased by 8.5 percent. Furthermore, the bar chart illustrates that the gems and jewellery decreased compared to 2015 and the export earnings decreased by 5.18 percent. Agricultural products slightly increased compared to 2015 and the export earnings slightly increased by 0.81 percent. Finally, textiles export earnings increased compared to 2015 and the export earnings increased by 15.24 percent. Overall,

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

The student attempts to cover the main features of the chart, reporting the export earnings for 2015 and 2016 alongside the percentage changes. However, the response has two critical issues: it cuts off mid-sentence at the end ('Overall, ...') and it falls significantly short of the 150-word minimum, containing only 122 words. Because of the under-length requirement and the incomplete overview/conclusion, the task cannot be fully addressed. The data reported for categories like petroleum products and textiles matches the visual data, but the lack of proper development and failure to complete the task pulls the score down.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The text exhibits some basic organisation, moving systematically through the product categories (e.g., 'In terms of engineered goods...', 'Furthermore...', 'Finally...'). However, the progression is quite repetitive, with almost every sentence starting with a variation of 'export earnings increased compared to 2015'. Furthermore, cohesive devices are mechanical and basic. Paragraphing is severely compromised because the response consists of a single body block plus a broken introductory sentence, and it terminates abruptly without a finished concluding paragraph.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The vocabulary used is adequate for a basic description of the data, featuring terms like 'export earnings', 'percentage change', and category names such as 'engineered goods' and 'gems and jewellery'. However, the lexical resource is overly repetitive, repeatedly relying on the phrase 'export earnings increased compared to 2015'. There is little attempt to use less common vocabulary or varied paraphrasing (such as 'rose', 'experienced growth', or 'saw an upward trend'). Spelling is generally accurate, but the lack of lexical range limits the score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The student demonstrates a mix of simple sentence structures and attempts at slightly longer sentences. Grammar and punctuation are mostly accurate in basic clauses, with few errors that impede communication. However, the grammatical range is limited, relying heavily on repetitive subject-verb-object patterns ('the export earnings increased by...'). There are no advanced complex structures used flexibly, and the abrupt ending prevents the demonstration of a wider syntactic range. Control over basic grammar is evident, but the structural variety remains restricted.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

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