Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-10-20

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 a country's export values in five different sectors between 2015 and 2016, and the table presents information about marginal value changes happened during 2015 and 2016.

Overall, Petroleum products had the highest earnings, followed by Engineered goods at second. While Gems and jewellery did considerable export, but later it was decreased. Agriculture products almost had a similar amount in both the years. However, Textiles showed significant increase, by the end of the year, and it also had a maximum growth, among all the other sector and least by Agricultural prodcuts.

Between 2015 and 2016, Petroleum products remained with highset number of earnings, around 6 billion in both the years, followed by Engineered goods at second, with above 50 billion in 2015, and around 60 billion in 2016. However, Gems and jewellery showed noticeable earnings of 50 billion (2015), and later got decreased, less than 50 billion (2016). Agricultural prodcuts experienced a similar amount, approximately 40 billion in 2015 and 2016. Also, Textiles industries done around 35 billion in 2015, and then, it showed significant increase with 40 billion at the end of the 2016.

Regarding the table, Textiles shown with the maximum amount of positive growth (15.24%), followed by Engineered goods with around 8.5%. While Gems and jewellery, Agricultural and petroleum products had 5.18%,

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the main categories and several important patterns: petroleum products and engineered goods are the top earners, while textiles show the strongest growth and gems decline. However, some figures are substantially misread: petroleum is about $61–63 billion, not around $6 billion; gems are about $43 and $41 billion, not $50 billion; and agriculture is about $31 billion, not $40 billion. The overview also incorrectly calls agriculture the least-growing category, whereas its increase is 0.81%, below petroleum’s 3%. The final table comparison is incomplete and does not clearly report all changes. To strengthen the response, check each figure against the chart and give a complete, accurate overview of both earnings and percentage changes.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, an overview, a paragraph describing the chart and a final paragraph referring to the table. This gives the reader a basic route through the information. However, progression is weakened by repeated category descriptions and by connectors that do not always express the intended relationship, such as “While … but later” and “However” before the textiles increase. The final paragraph ends abruptly after listing only some percentage changes, so the comparison is not brought to a clear conclusion. Grouping the main increases together and then contrasting them with the decline in gems would make the information easier to follow. Use linking words selectively and ensure each paragraph develops a complete point.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant task vocabulary, including “export values,” “earnings,” “significant increase,” and “positive growth,” and the category names are generally clear. However, several word choices and collocations are unnatural or imprecise, for example “marginal value changes happened,” “did considerable export,” and “showed noticeable earnings.” Repetition of “amount” and “significant” also limits precision. There are spelling errors in “prodcuts” and “highset,” and “Agriculture products” is less accurate than the chart’s category label. Aim for concise, conventional reporting language such as “export revenue rose” or “recorded a decline,” and check spelling and category names carefully. This will make the comparisons clearer and more appropriate to an academic report.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt a mixture of simple and more complex sentences, including comparisons and clauses introduced by “while” and “however.” However, complex constructions are often faulty: “While Gems and jewellery did considerable export, but later it was decreased” combines incompatible linking structures and has an unclear pronoun reference. Other errors include “Textiles shown” instead of a correctly formed past-tense verb, “Textiles industries done,” and “Agricultural products almost had a similar amount.” Articles, agreement and sentence boundaries also need more consistent control. These errors sometimes make the intended relationships difficult to interpret. Practise building accurate comparison sentences with one clear subject and verb, and proofread verb forms and punctuation before finishing.

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