Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-08-05
IELTS Writing Task 1 question
The chart 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 6.5)
The bar graph illustrates the earnings of a country, measured in billions of dollars, from the export of five different products in 2015 and 2016. The accompanying table shows the percentage change in the value of these exports in 2016 compared with 2015.
In 2015, petroleum products recorded the highest export value at around 60 billion dollars, followed closely by engineered goods at approximately 58 billion. Gems and jewellery contributed about 42 billion, while agricultural products accounted for nearly 33 billion. Textiles had the lowest export earnings, at just 28 billion dollars.
By 2016, exports of petroleum and engineered goods both rose to roughly 62 billion dollars, maintaining their leading positions. Agricultural products and textiles remained comparatively lower, at around 32 billion each. Gems and jewellery exports, however, declined slightly compared to the previous year.
The table highlights percentage changes between the two years. Except for gems and jewellery, which fell by about 5.18%, all other categories showed growth. Petroleum products increased by 3%, engineered goods by 8.5%, agriculture by 0.18%, and textiles experienced the most significant rise at 15.24%.
Overall, petroleum products consistently generated the highest export revenue, while textiles remained the lowest. The data also indicates that, apart from gems and jewellery, all other sectors experienced growth in 2016 compared with 2015.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.5 |
| Overall | 6.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5
The response effectively addresses all parts of the task. You have provided a clear overview and selected key features from both the bar chart and the table. The comparison between the two years is well-integrated, and the data is accurately reported. You successfully identified the highest and lowest categories and noted the significant percentage changes, such as the growth in textiles and the decline in gems and jewellery. The information is well-balanced, and the inclusion of specific figures supports your analysis effectively, meeting the requirements for a Band 8 level of task achievement.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5
The response is logically organized, with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a distinct focus: the introduction, the 2015 data, the 2016 data, the table analysis, and a concluding summary. Cohesive devices such as 'By 2016', 'however', 'Except for', and 'Overall' are used effectively to guide the reader through the data. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the information flows smoothly from one point to the next, demonstrating a high level of coherence and cohesion throughout the text.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.0
You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey the information precisely. Terms such as 'recorded', 'contributed', 'accounted for', and 'generated' are used appropriately in the context of economic data. There is a good attempt to use varied language to describe trends, such as 'rose', 'declined', and 'experienced the most significant rise'. The vocabulary is natural and fits the academic tone required for this task. There are no significant errors in word choice or collocation, and the range is flexible enough to allow for precise reporting.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5
The response demonstrates a good command of grammatical structures. You have used a mix of simple and complex sentences effectively, such as the use of subordinate clauses in 'Except for gems and jewellery, which fell by about 5.18%, all other categories showed growth.' The punctuation is accurate, and the sentence structures are varied. The grammar is consistently error-free, and the control over tense and subject-verb agreement is strong. The writing is clear and professional, reflecting a high level of grammatical accuracy.
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