Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-10-11

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 5.0)

The bar graph is showing the purchase of various goods of a country for the two years 2015 and 2016. The goods are from different catogories such as petroleum products, engineering goods, gems and jewellery, agricultutal products and textile goods. The table is showing percentage changes in each category.

As shown by the data purchase of petroleum goods was high than all other exported item, as their purchase value was near to 70 billions. While engineering goods remained on second number with 65 billions purchase. Gems and jewellery was purchased in 50 billions for both year almost. Agricultural goods were bought in 40 billions for the years 2015 and 2016. Textile section purchase was lower than all other exported goods as only money between 30-35 billions was spent for textile goods.

As table is showing petroleum products rose upto 3 %, while engineering goods increased upto 8.5 %. Gems ang jewellery showed decrese of 5.18 % , agricultural products increased 0.81 % and textile goods rose upto 15.24 % which is greater than all.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5

The response identifies the categories and reports the percentage changes, including the largest rise in textiles and the fall in gems and jewellery. However, several key chart values are substantially misread: petroleum is described as nearly 70 billion rather than about 61–63 billion, engineering as 65 rather than about 57–62 billion, and gems as 50 in both years rather than about 43 and 41. The claim that textiles were the lowest category is also inaccurate for 2016, when agricultural products were approximately equal to textiles. The response gives no clear overview of the main pattern across the two years and focuses on inaccurate details. To improve, summarise the overall trends first, then select accurate comparisons from the chart and table.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a basic, recognisable structure: an introduction, a paragraph describing the chart, and a final paragraph on percentage changes. Linking expressions such as “As shown by the data” and “While” help connect some points. However, the progression is limited, and the chart description reads as a list of categories rather than a clearly organised comparison. The final paragraph also combines all table figures without explaining how they relate to the chart. Some references, such as “their purchase value,” are unclear. Grouping the categories by whether their values rose, fell or stayed broadly stable, and using clearer links between the overview and supporting details, would make the report easier to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

The response uses relevant topic vocabulary, including “percentage changes,” “increased,” “decrease,” and “category,” so the reader can generally understand the subject. However, the range is limited and several choices are inaccurate or unnatural for describing export values. “Purchase” and “bought” suggest consumer buying rather than a country’s export earnings, while “second number” and “rose upto” are awkward expressions. There are also noticeable spelling errors, including “catogories,” “agricultutal,” and “decrese,” as well as “ang” for “and.” Use precise terms such as “export earnings,” “ranked second,” and “rose by,” and check spelling carefully to improve clarity and control.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response attempts some longer sentence forms, for example, “As shown by the data purchase of petroleum goods was high than all other exported item,” and uses contrast with “While.” However, sentence structures are mostly simple or awkwardly joined, and grammatical errors occur frequently. Examples include “was high than” instead of a correct comparative form, “for both year,” and “Gems and jewellery was,” where number agreement is faulty. Articles and punctuation are also inconsistent, as in “As shown by the data purchase…” and the comma spacing around the percentage figures. Practise accurate comparisons, subject–verb agreement, plural forms and sentence boundaries. More controlled complex sentences would help express comparisons without sacrificing accuracy.

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

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