Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-10-04

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 5.5)

The bar chart illustrates the generation and consumtion of electricity in ten major countries in 2014.

Overall, ten countries are ranked by usage and production in billion kwh of electricity.In China, there was a considerable balance between production and consumption also both are highest among other countries.While in Korea, Rep. both factors experienced lowest as compared to other countries.

In China, the production and consumption were 5398 billion kwh and 5322 billion kwh respectively. Also United States experienced a considerable balance between these two factors, 4,099 billion kwh and 3866 billion kwh in production and consumption accordingly.While Russia, striked a balance between production and usage of electricity varying from 1057 billion kwh to 1038 billion kwh.Same case was with Japan.

In India, Canada, France, Brazil, the production of electricity was more than the consumption. Although in Germany, the usage of electricity was more than production. Also in Korea Rep. there was a quite balance between production and usage.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

The response covers the main features of the chart by identifying China and the United States as the top producers and consumers, and mentioning the general patterns among the remaining countries. However, the information is somewhat inadequately developed and lacks a fully realised overview. For instance, while the student notes that China has the highest figures and Korea the lowest, many countries are merely listed without sufficient selection or deeper comparison. To move to a higher band, the response needs to present a clearer and more comprehensive overview of the main trends and integrate more specific data points into well-developed comparisons across all ten countries rather than relying on brief mentions.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a basic overall structure with an introduction, overview, and body paragraphs, showing some organisation. However, the logical progression is hindered by repetitive phrasing and simple transitional devices like 'Also' and 'While'. Paragraphing is attempted, but the grouping of information feels slightly disjointed, particularly in the final paragraph where multiple countries are rushed through without smooth cohesion. Referencing and referencing ties are sometimes mechanical or unclear, such as 'Same case was with Japan.' To improve, the writer should use a wider variety of cohesive devices more naturally and ensure that ideas are linked logically to create a clearer flow from one point to the next.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The vocabulary used is minimally adequate for the task, allowing the writer to communicate basic data such as 'generation', 'consumption', and 'production'. However, there are notable spelling errors, such as 'consumtion', and awkward word choices or collocations like 'striked a balance' or 'experienced lowest'. The range of vocabulary is limited, and attempts at less common items result in inaccuracies. To reach a higher band, the student needs to use a broader and more precise range of lexical items, avoiding repetition of basic terms like 'balance' and 'factors', and paying closer attention to word formation and spelling.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The writing shows a limited range of sentence structures, relying heavily on simple statements and repetitive patterns such as subject-verb-object constructions. When complex structures are attempted, they often contain grammatical errors, such as missing prepositions or faulty article use, for example in 'both factors experienced lowest as compared to other countries' and 'there was a quite balance'. Punctuation and grammatical control are inconsistent, with frequent minor errors that occasionally cause slight hesitation for the reader. To achieve a higher band, the writer should incorporate a wider variety of error-free complex sentences and improve grammatical accuracy across verb forms and modifiers.

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

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