Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-10-09

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 earnings of country's exports in distinct categories in 2015 and in 2016. The table displays the proportional change in values of products exported in 2016 with regards to those in 2015.

Overall, it is clear from the bar chart that for each category of product, except gems and jewellery, outnumbered in terms of value of those in previous year. From the table, it is evident that textiles earned revenue significantly in one year, however lowest in agricultural products.

To begin with bar chart, petroleum products earned high profits than other products, with over 60 billion dollars in both the years. Engineering goods and Textiles improved considerably in one year with 65 billion and 42 billion dollars respectively. Gems and jewellery product's margin dipped with 2 billion dollars.

With regards to table, Textiles makes up by far the largest percentage change in one year with 15.24% rise. Gems and jewellery accounted negative proportional change falling up to 5.81%. However petroleum was biggest revenue generator category but it resulted in only 3% growth in 2016.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the two visuals and include a broad overview that most categories rose while gems and jewellery declined. You also select relevant details, such as textiles having the largest percentage increase and petroleum remaining a major export. However, several figures and comparisons are inaccurate or unclear: engineered goods reached about $62 billion, not $65 billion, and textiles were about $31 billion, not $42 billion. The fall in gems and jewellery was about $2 billion, but the table gives a 5.18% decrease, not 5.81%. The overview also incorrectly suggests agricultural products had the lowest revenue; textiles were lowest in 2015, while textiles and agriculture were level in 2016. More accurate reporting of the main values and trends would make the response more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, and separate paragraphs for the chart and table. This makes the information generally easy to follow, and phrases such as “To begin with” and “With regards to table” signal a shift between visuals. However, the overview combines unrelated points and is difficult to interpret, particularly “textiles earned revenue significantly in one year, however lowest in agricultural products.” Some comparisons are also placed in the wrong context, and the final paragraph does not systematically cover the remaining categories. Use clearer topic sentences and organise the details by overall trend or by category, with more precise referencing, to create smoother progression.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a reasonable range of task-related vocabulary, including “earnings,” “proportional change,” “revenue generator,” and “dipped,” and the reader can usually understand the intended comparisons. However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or unnatural: “outnumbered in terms of value” does not express that export values increased, while “earned high profits” and “makes up by far the largest percentage change” are not suitable descriptions of the data. “Accounted negative proportional change” is also awkward. Aim for precise chart language such as “recorded the highest value,” “rose by,” and “experienced a decline.” More consistent, natural collocations would improve clarity and control.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, including a contrast with “except gems and jewellery” and a clause beginning “however.” The main message is generally recoverable, but grammatical errors occur in several sentences and sometimes make relationships unclear. For example, “for each category of product, except gems and jewellery, outnumbered” lacks a clear subject and verb structure; “in one year” is used where a specific year or period is needed; and “Gems and jewellery product’s margin dipped” has problems with number and possessive form. Articles and sentence construction also need attention in “With regards to table.” Practise building complete subject–verb sentences and checking agreement, articles, and tense.

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