Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-10-07
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 graph illustrates the value of one country’s exports in various categories during 2015 and 2016 and the table represneted the percentage change in each category of exports in 2016 compared with 2015.
Overall, export earnings in the petroleum products accounted for highest proportion, while earings in textiles goods recorded for smallest precentage. Meanwhile, textiles values rose to highest proportion by the year 2016, whereas gems and jewellery generally declines.
Looking first at export earings in 2015 to 2016, petroluem products recorded for highest proportion in both periods which is $65 billions, $68 billions respectively. Following this, engineered goods stood at $60 billions in 2015 that gradually rises to $65 billions by the year 2016. Whereas gems and jewellery at $50 billions and $48 billions repectively. Meanwhile, agricultual products maintain constant earnings in both years which is approximately $40 billions , finally, textiles goods accounted for smallest proportion over the periods starts at $35 billions in 2016 and gradually rise to $40 billion by 2016.
Turning to percentage change in each category between 2015 to 2016, textiles values rose to 15.24% accounted for highest proportion, following this petroleum products value increased to 8.5% by 2016. Where as we observe small rose of agricultural products over the period which is 0.81%. Meanwhile percentage of gems and jewellery generally declines to 5.18% from 2015 to 2016.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0
You identify the main categories and include an overview noting petroleum’s leading position and the decline in gems and jewellery. However, several figures and comparisons do not match the chart: petroleum is about $61bn and $63bn, not $65bn and $68bn; textiles begin at about $26bn in 2015, not $35bn in 2016; and the largest percentage increase is textiles at 15.24%, not petroleum at 8.5%. The overview also says textiles had the smallest percentage, although agricultural products had the smallest change. These inaccuracies make the report only partially successful, and some key features are unclear or underdeveloped. Check each figure against the visual and distinguish export values from percentage changes.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, a paragraph on export values and a final paragraph on percentage changes. This helps the reader follow the two parts of the visual. However, progression within paragraphs is sometimes weakened by inaccurate or confusing comparisons, such as “starts at $35 billions in 2016 and gradually rise to $40 billion by 2016,” which does not clearly describe the two years. Linking phrases such as “Following this,” “Meanwhile” and “Turning to” provide some connection, but “Whereas” and “Where as” are used in fragments, and several transitions feel mechanical. Group the categories by meaningful trends and use complete comparison sentences to make the sequence clearer.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
You use relevant chart vocabulary, including “export earnings,” “percentage change,” “accounted for” and “declines,” and you attempt to vary expressions when comparing categories. However, word choice and collocation are often inaccurate or repetitive: “highest proportion” is used for export values, while “recorded for” and “smallest precentage” are not natural in this context. There are also noticeable spelling and word-form errors, including “represneted,” “earings,” “petroluem” and “agricultual.” These errors sometimes make the intended comparison harder to understand. Use precise terms such as “highest value,” “lowest earnings” and “increased by,” and proofread category names and key data vocabulary.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
You attempt a mixture of simple and more complex structures, including clauses introduced by “while,” “whereas” and “which.” However, complex sentences are often faulty, and errors occur frequently enough to affect clarity. For example, “textiles goods accounted for smallest proportion over the periods starts at…” combines incompatible sentence structures, while “engineered goods stood at $60 billions … that gradually rises” has an unclear relative clause and inconsistent tense. Articles and agreement are also problematic in “accounted for highest proportion” and “gems and jewellery generally declines.” Use past tense consistently for the 2015–2016 data, check subject–verb agreement, and separate comparisons into complete sentences with clear subjects and verbs.
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