Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-10-15

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 ranking of top ten countires which have capability to generate and consume electricity in billion KWh for ten countries: China, United States, Russia, Japan, India, Canada, France, Brazil, Germany and Korea in 2014.

Overall, China was at the top amongs the countries. It is observed that United States had the largest difference between its production and its consumption. It is noticed that Germany was consuming more electricity than it produced. Korea was in the tenth position in the list.

China produced 5,398 billion KWh electricty and its requirment were 5,322 billion KWh, while United States produced 4,099 billion kWh electricity and the consumption were 3,866. Although United States were placed at second in the list but, it had the most amount of spare electircity in their grid system.

Russia produced 1,057 billion KWh and its demand were 1,038 billion KWh. Russia had the least number of spare electricity in their grid system with only 19 billion KWh. Japan produced 936.2 billion KWh and consumed 856.7 billion KWh. Similarly countries like India, Canada, France, Brazil and Korea produced more electricty then their need. In contrast to all other countries only Germany had short fall of electricity. Germany produced 526.6 billion KWh while it consumption were of 582.5.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the main pattern accurately: China leads both measures, the United States is second, and Germany is the only country whose consumption exceeds production. Several figures are also reported correctly, including China’s 5,398 versus 5,322 and Germany’s 526.6 versus 582.5. The overview is relevant, but the claim that the United States had the largest difference is inaccurate: its production-consumption gap is 233, while India’s is about 172 and the other gaps are smaller, so this claim is correct; however, describing Russia as having the least spare electricity is also inaccurate, since Korea’s gap is smaller. Some lower-ranked countries are grouped without figures, and the overview could compare the very large output of China and the US with the much lower figures elsewhere more clearly.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, and paragraphs giving country figures. This helps the reader follow the broad comparison, and linking expressions such as “while,” “Similarly,” and “In contrast” show an attempt to connect information. However, progression is uneven: the second paragraph moves from China and the US to a claim about spare electricity, while the next paragraph returns to Russia and Japan before grouping five countries together. Some links are also awkward or unclear, particularly “Although United States were placed at second … but,” where two contrasting structures are combined. Organise the details into clearer groups, such as the two leading producers, the middle-ranked countries, and Germany’s exception, and use fewer, more precise transitions.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant task vocabulary, including “production,” “consumption,” “demand,” “difference,” and “short fall,” so the main comparisons are generally understandable. There are also attempts at more specific phrasing, such as “spare electricity in their grid system.” However, several expressions are unnatural or imprecise for describing chart data: “had capability to generate,” “top amongs,” and “its requirement were” do not sound idiomatic. Spelling errors such as “countires,” “electricty,” “requirment,” and “electircity” are noticeable, and “spare electricity” is less precise than “surplus” or “production-consumption gap.” Aim for accurate, concise collocations and check spelling carefully; this will make the comparisons clearer and more natural.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and complex sentences, including comparisons with “while” and “Although,” and most of the intended meaning can be understood. Some grammatical errors remain, especially with subject–verb agreement and sentence construction. For example, “its requirement were” should use a singular verb, while “United States were placed” and “the consumption were” also have agreement problems. The sentence “Although United States were placed at second … but” incorrectly combines two contrasting conjunctions; use either “Although …” or “…, but …,” not both. Articles and possessives are also inconsistent, as in “United States” and “it consumption.” Review agreement, article use, and the structure of contrast clauses, while continuing to use varied sentence forms.

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