Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-10-05

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 chart illustrates the export earning in various category in 2015 and 2016.

Overall, in 2016 petroleum products, engine goods and textiles fluctuate increased except germs and jewellery.

The product category in percentage change in values ([redacted phone]), petroleum products rose 8.5%, engineered goods increase 3%, agricultural products an upward trend 0.81% and the highest trend of textiles sector almost 15.24%, whereas, only Gems and jewellery dropped 5.18%.

In addition, comparison between 2015 and 2016 of different products, petroleum products showed almost 60 billions in 2015 and near to 70 billions in 2016. Similarly engine goods slightly near to 60 billions in 2015 and almost 65 billions in 2016. Gems and Jewellery reflected inverse relationship as compared to other products, more than 50 billions in 2015 and 50 billions in 2016. Additionally, Agricultural products are very near in terms of export in both year 2015 and 2016. A highest form indicated in the sector of Textile in 2016, more than 40 billions and near to 35 billions in 2015.

In short, the highest export earnings in the sector of Textiles sector as compared to other product categories.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

The response attempts to address the prompt by summarising export earnings in 2015 and 2016 alongside percentage changes, but the selection of data is erratic and features inaccuracies. For instance, the writer incorrectly states that petroleum products rose by 8.5% and engineered goods by 3%, reversing the actual figures from the chart. Furthermore, some data points are misreported or vaguely described, such as stating that gems and jewellery were '50 billions in 2016' when the visual shows 41. Although an overview is attempted, it contains confusing phrasing ('fluctuate increased except germs and jewellery'). Ideas remain limited and under-developed, meaning the response only partially covers the requirements of the task. To improve, you should carefully verify data points against the visual prompt and ensure trends and overviews are clearly and accurately stated.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

There is some basic organisation with paragraphs dedicated to the introduction, overview, percentages, and chart comparisons, but the response lacks a clear overall progression. Cohesive devices are often mechanical, inaccurate, or missing, leading to awkward transitions between sentences. For example, using phrases like 'In addition, comparison between...' and 'Additionally, Agricultural products are very near' disrupts the natural flow of ideas. Paragraphing is attempted, but grouping related information together requires better structural control. To move to a higher band, ensure that sentences are linked logically with precise cohesive markers, and group your main features and comparisons into a more coherent, easy-to-follow structure.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

The vocabulary used is limited and barely adequate for the task. There are noticeable lexical inaccuracies and misspellings throughout the response, such as 'earning' instead of 'earnings', 'category' instead of 'categories', 'engine goods' instead of 'engineered goods', and 'germs' instead of 'gems'. Word forms are also frequently misused, as seen in expressions like 'fluctuate increased'. These errors and awkward collocations cause some difficulty for the reader and reflect a restricted vocabulary range. To improve, focus on learning precise terms for data reporting (such as verbs like 'rose', 'declined', or 'remained stable') and double-check your spelling against the visual prompt.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The grammatical range is quite limited, relying mostly on simple or faulty complex structures. There are frequent errors in sentence construction, prepositions, and verb forms that can cause difficulty for the reader. Examples include missing prepositions and articles ('in various category', 'in both year'), awkward phrasing ('A highest form indicated in the sector of Textile'), and incorrect comparative structures. Punctuation errors are also present, which detracts from readability. To achieve a higher band, you need to demonstrate a greater variety of complex sentence structures while improving grammatical accuracy, particularly regarding subject-verb agreement, article use, and prepositional phrases in data descriptions.

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

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