Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-10-01

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 given bar graph illustrates the value of exports in different categories in one country during 2015 and 2016. On the other hand, the table reveals the ratio change in each category of exports in 2016 comared with 2015. Overall, it can be seen that the most signficant feature of graph is petroleum products have highest value in comparison of others. However, in table textiles is the most prominant feature with the highest percentage.

Now turning into the details, The Petroleum products have small gap in value of export around 5 billion gap only during 2015 and 2016. In addition, Engineered goods have just under 60 billion dollars export in 2015 and just under 70 billion dollars export in 2016. Furthermore, Gems and jewellery is only category which export decrease from 50 to just under 50 billion dollars during 2015 and 2016. Agriculture and Textiles exports rely under 45 billion dollars in both years.

By contrast, Petroleum products increased by 3% from 2015 to 2016. Moreover, Gems and Jewellery are the only class which export decrease to 5.18%. Textiles export rise up like a rocket by 15.24%.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

The response addresses all parts of the task by presenting an overview and reporting key details from both the bar graph and the table, but some parts are more fully developed than others. The overview correctly identifies that petroleum products had the highest value and textiles showed the highest percentage change, but the description of the details contains inaccuracies and under-developed ideas. For instance, the text claims that Gems and jewellery decreased from 50 to just under 50 billion dollars, whereas the chart shows a drop from 43 to 41 billion dollars. Additionally, the statement that Agriculture and Textiles exports 'rely under 45 billion dollars' is imprecise. To reach a higher band, the student needs to select and report data more accurately without misinterpreting the visual figures and provide fuller extension of the main trends.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a coherent overall arrangement and attempts to structure the information logically with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a concluding discussion on the table data. However, cohesion is sometimes mechanical and referencing is occasionally unclear. For example, transitional phrases such as 'On the other hand' are used inappropriately where there is no direct contrast between the graph and the table, and 'Now turning into the details' is slightly awkward. Paragraphing is present, but internal cohesion within paragraphs could be improved by smoother transitions and clearer signposting. To achieve a higher level, the student must ensure that cohesive devices are used more flexibly and naturally to establish clear logical progression throughout the report.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, allowing the student to attempt some less common items such as 'prominant', 'signficant', and 'ratio change'. However, there are noticeable spelling errors ('comared', 'signficant', 'prominant') and some awkward word choices and collocations, such as 'ratio change' instead of 'percentage change', and 'export decrease' instead of 'exports decreased'. Furthermore, the phrase 'rise up like a rocket' is overly informal and unsuited to an academic writing style. To improve lexical resource, the student needs to expand their range of vocabulary, improve spelling accuracy, and employ more precise, formal terms suitable for describing statistical data.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The response demonstrates a mix of simple and some complex sentence forms, but control over grammar and sentence structure is inconsistent. There are several errors in prepositions, verb forms, and articles, such as 'The Petroleum products have small gap in value of export around 5 billion gap only', 'Gems and Jewellery are the only class which export decrease', and 'Agriculture and Textiles exports rely under'. Punctuation and subject-verb agreement also show lapses, for instance using singular verbs with plural subjects ('exports rely'). While these errors do not completely impede communication, they occur frequently enough to restrict the score. To progress, the student should focus on producing error-free complex sentences and maintaining accurate grammatical control over verb tenses and prepositions.

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

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