Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-11-01

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 production and consumption of electricity in top ten countries in 2014. The data is given in billion kWh.

Overall, China was the largest producer and consumer of electricity. While, Korea produced and consumed electricity less than among all the other countries. All countries produce electricity greater than their consumption with the Germany only exception whose consumption was greater than its production in 2014.

With regards to the consumption and production in countries, China consumed 5322 kWh and produced 5398 kWh of electricity. However, United States represented 4099 kWh and 3866 kWh of electricity production and consumption respectively. Russia made up 1057 kWh and 1038 kWh energy which were produced and consumed in 2014. However, Japan production and consumption of electricity

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the chart’s subject and give a relevant overview: China leads both measures, Korea is at the bottom, and Germany is the exception to the general production-over-consumption pattern. The figures reported for China, the United States and Russia are also accurate, although the units should be billion kWh rather than simply kWh. However, the response covers only a small part of the chart: it stops as the Japan comparison begins and gives no figures or comparisons for the remaining countries. The task is therefore only partially addressed, with key information under-developed. It is also 25 words below the required minimum. To improve, complete the comparisons and select several representative figures from across the ranking.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

There is a basic structure, with an introduction, an overview and a paragraph beginning to report details. The overview helps signal the main pattern before the figures, and words such as “However” attempt to connect comparisons. Nevertheless, progression is limited because the detail paragraph ends abruptly at “Japan production and consumption of electricity,” leaving the report unfinished. The repeated use of “However” does not always express a clear contrast, and the sequence of country figures is not developed into a complete, easy-to-follow account. Organise the details into a finished paragraph, group countries by notable patterns, and use linking expressions only where the relationship genuinely calls for them.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of task-related vocabulary, including “production,” “consumption,” “largest producer,” “exception” and “represented.” These choices make the general meaning understandable, and the key chart terms are mostly used appropriately. Some phrasing is imprecise or repetitive, however: “Korea produced and consumed electricity less than among all the other countries” is awkward, while “made up … energy” is not a natural way to report the figures. “Korea” is also less precise than the chart’s “Korea, Rep.” Aim for concise, conventional reporting language and accurate units. For example, use “generated” or “accounted for” where appropriate, and describe Korea as having the lowest production and consumption among the listed countries.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response attempts both simple statements and more complex forms, including “While…” and “whose consumption was greater…”. However, errors are frequent enough to make some sentences awkward or incomplete. “While, Korea…” is incorrectly punctuated and does not form a complete contrast clause; “All countries produce” shifts to the present tense when describing 2014; and “with the Germany only exception” has faulty article placement. The final sentence is unfinished, and “Japan production and consumption” also needs a possessive or a different construction. Use past-tense verbs consistently for the chart, check articles and clause structure, and proofread each sentence to ensure it is complete.

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