Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-10-02
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 illustrates the earnings of different categories of one country's exports during 2015 and 2016, while the table describes the percentage change in each category of exports.
Overall, petroleum products had the highest earnings, while textiles had the lowest earnings. Furthermore, textiles had the greatest change, whereas agricultural products had the lowest change in earnings.
To begin, petroleum products accounted for the highest revenue source in 2015 at $70 billions. This figure was increased slightly in 2016. The second category was engineered goods which had nearly $65 billions in 2015 and nearly $70 billions in 2016. In contrast, textiles accounted for roughly $35 billions earnings in 2015, followed by nearly $40 billions in 2016.
Additionally, petroleum products and textiles accounted for the highest percentage change in earnings at 8.5% and 15.24% respectively. Engineered goods accounted for the 3% change in earnings. Finally, gems and jewellery showed the decline with 5.18%.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.5 |
| Overall | 6.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0
The response addresses the main parts of the task by introducing both the chart and the table, and attempting an overview. However, the data cited in the body paragraphs contains significant inaccuracies when compared against the visual data. For instance, the student states that petroleum products accounted for '$70 billions' in 2015, whereas the actual figure was approximately 61. Similarly, figures for engineered goods and textiles are misread or misattributed. Furthermore, the second body paragraph confuses the percentage changes and categories, incorrectly assigning the 8.5% and 15.24% changes to petroleum products and textiles instead of matching them accurately. These inaccuracies and under-developed selections limit the task achievement, keeping the response at this level.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0
The response maintains a coherent overall arrangement with a clear paragraph structure separating the introduction, overview, and body details. Cohesive devices are employed to link ideas, such as 'Overall', 'To begin', and 'In contrast', though referencing is sometimes mechanical or imprecise. While the logical progression between sentences is generally discernible, the confusion in the data selection impacts the flow of information. To reach a higher band, the student should ensure that cohesive relationships strictly mirror accurate data relationships rather than relying on formulaic transitions.
Lexical Resource: Band 6.0
The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, successfully incorporating terms related to graphical data such as 'earnings', 'categories', 'percentage change', and 'revenue source'. The student attempts some less common expressions, though there are minor inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'This figure was increased slightly' (where a passive or intransitive form would be more natural). Spelling and word-form choices generally do not impede communication, allowing the reader to follow the intent despite the underlying data errors.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5
The writing demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, utilizing introductory subordinate clauses effectively (e.g., 'while the table describes...'). There is good control over basic grammatical structures, and punctuation is generally sound. However, some errors persist, such as the passive voice construction 'This figure was increased slightly' instead of the correct active intransitive 'increased slightly', and minor preposition or article issues. These errors are occasional and rarely impede communication, reflecting solid control that extends into the lower edge of higher band characteristics.
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