Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-09-16

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

The bar chart below shows the top ten countries for the production and consumption of electricity in 2014.

Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

Student answer (Band 5.0)

The bar chart compares electricity generation and consumption in the ten most populous countries in 2014. Overall, the production and consumption of electricity in China were higher than those of the other countries. In Korea, this ratio is lower than that of the others.

In 2014, China had the largest production, and the consumption of electricity was about 5,398kWh both were almost the same. In the United States, the production and consumption of electricity are lower than in China; it is about 4,099kWh production and 3,866kWh consumption.

In Russia, the generation and consumption of electricity are almost the same; it is about 1,057 kWh. In Japan, the production and consumption of electricity are less than those of Russia; the production is a small difference, and the consumption is almost 2,ookWh of difference then the Russia. The production in Germany and in Korea is almost the same electricity ratio. And in the consum[ption have little bit of a difference.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response attempts to address the task by comparing electricity generation and consumption across countries, but there are several factual inaccuracies and misreadings of the chart. For example, the student states that China's consumption was 5,398kWh and that both production and consumption were 'almost the same' (the chart shows production at 5,398 and consumption at 5,322, but the student assigns 5,398 specifically to consumption). Additionally, the overview misidentifies the countries as the 'ten most populous countries' rather than simply the top ten countries for electricity production and consumption. The comparison for Japan contains severe numerical errors ('almost 2,000kWh of difference then the Russia'). While major economies like China and the US are mentioned, the lack of accurate data handling limits task achievement to Band 5.0.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The response has a basic structure with an introduction and body paragraphs, providing some overall organisation. However, the progression of ideas is hindered by abrupt shifts and unclear referencing. Cohesive devices are used minimally and sometimes inappropriately, such as 'And in the consum[ption have little bit of a difference.' Paragraphing is attempted, but sentences within paragraphs feel disjointed rather than logically linked. The final paragraph runs together separate thoughts about Germany, Korea, and consumption differences without smooth transitions. Overall coherence is maintained at a rudimentary level, earning a band score of 5.0.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The student uses a limited range of vocabulary appropriate to the task, including words like 'generation', 'consumption', and 'production'. However, there are noticeable lexical errors and awkward phrasing, such as 'electricity ratio', 'a small difference', and 'consum[ption'. Word formation and collocations are occasionally inaccurate, for instance, writing 'consumption have little bit of a difference' instead of 'there is a slight difference in consumption'. The vocabulary is minimally adequate to convey basic concepts about the chart, but repetitive phrasing restricts the score to a 5.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The text displays a limited range of grammatical structures, relying heavily on simple sentences and basic present tense forms (e.g., 'the production and consumption... are lower'). Attempts at more complex structures often result in faulty grammar and awkward punctuation, such as in the sentence 'In Japan, the production and consumption of electricity are less than those of Russia; the production is a small difference, and the consumption is almost 2,ookWh of difference then the Russia.' Frequent errors in prepositions, comparisons, and clause linking cause some difficulty for the reader and prevent the grammar score from reaching Band 6.0.

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

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