Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-10-14

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)

This bar graph and the table present information on different items exported by one country in 2015 and 2016.

The bar graph shows the profit from exports by a country in many categories in 2015 and 2016. In 2015, the highest earnings were from petroleum products, about 60 billion dollars, followed by engineered goods, about 57 billion dollars. After that, gems and jewellery were the third source of earnings. The lowest profitable exports were textiles, about 26 billion dollars, followed by agricultural products, about 30 billion dollars. Then in 2016, the earnings from petroleum products and engineered goods were almost 60 billion dollars, which were the highest trade in 2016. Gems and jewellery were in third place with 40 billion dollars, and agricultural products and textiles were both at equal profit of about 30 billion dollars.

The table compares the data for 2015 and 2016 in percentages. Petroleum products rose by 3%, engineered goods rise up about 8.5%, but gems and jewellery fell by about 5.18%, while agricultural products and textiles increased by about 0.81% and 15.24%, respectively, in 2016 as compared to 2015.

Overall, these two charts show the total earnings and a comparison of 2015 and 2016 trade of a country.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the two visuals and report several key figures, including petroleum as the leading export in 2015 and the decline in gems and jewellery. However, the response does not give a clear, accurate overview of the main changes. In particular, it says petroleum and engineered goods were “almost 60 billion dollars” in 2016, although the chart shows about 63 and 62 billion, and describes agricultural products and textiles as equal at about 30 billion, despite textiles being higher at about 31 billion. The table’s percentages are mostly reported, but the overview at the end merely says the charts compare earnings and trade rather than summarising the dominant trends. Select and compare the most important changes more precisely, especially the strong rise in textiles and the slight fall in gems.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall arrangement: an introduction, a paragraph describing the bar chart, a paragraph on the percentage table, and a concluding overview. Time markers such as “In 2015” and “Then in 2016” help the reader follow the comparisons, and “while” effectively contrasts increases with the fall in gems. However, the final overview repeats the general purpose of the visuals instead of bringing the main trends together, so progression is less effective at the end. Some linking is also mechanical, particularly the repeated sequencing phrases “After that” and “Then.” Grouping the main increases together and contrasting them with the decline in gems would create a more purposeful flow.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a relevant range of topic vocabulary, including “exports,” “earnings,” “categories,” “rose,” and “fell,” and the meaning is generally clear. There are, however, several imprecise or unnatural choices that limit flexibility. “Profit from exports” is not the same as export earnings, while “lowest profitable exports” and “highest trade” are awkward descriptions of the figures. “Equal profit” also misrepresents the comparison, since the values are not exactly equal. The phrase “rose by 3%” can suggest a percentage-point increase rather than the table’s reported percentage change. Aim for precise chart language such as “export value,” “generated the highest revenue,” and “stood at approximately,” and use “percentage change” when reporting the table.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5

You use a mix of simple and more developed sentence forms, including a clear contrast in “Petroleum products rose by 3% … but gems and jewellery fell.” Most sentences communicate the intended comparisons, and punctuation is generally controlled. Some verb-form and tense errors remain: “engineered goods rise up” should be “engineered goods rose,” to keep the past tense consistent, and “which were the highest trade” has an unclear grammatical reference. The long sentence listing all five percentage changes is understandable but would be easier to control if divided or structured more clearly. Continue using complex comparisons, while checking that verbs remain in the past tense and that pronouns clearly refer to the figures or categories being discussed.

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