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 chart compares the export earnings of a country in five different product categories in 2015 and 2016, while the table shows the percentage change in export values for each category over the same period..Overall, export earnings increased in most categories between 2015 and 2016. Engineered goods, petroleum products and textiles experienced noticeable growth, while gems and jewellery was the only category to record a decline.

In 2015, petroleum products generated the highest export earnings at around $60 billion, followed by engineered goods at approximately $58 billion. These figures rose to about $63 billion and $62 billion respectively in 2016. According to the table, the value of petroleum products increased by 3%, while engineered goods recorded a larger rise of 8.5%.

By contrast, export earnings from gems and jewellery fell slightly from about $43 billion in 2015 to $41 billion in 2016, representing a 5.18% decrease. Agricultural products showed only a small increase, from roughly $30 billion to $31 billion, with a growth of 0.81%. Meanwhile, textiles experienced the most significant improvement, rising from around $26 billion to $31 billion, which was reflected in the highest percentage increase of 15.24%.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response effectively addresses all parts of the task. You have provided a clear overview of the trends and selected key features to illustrate the data, such as identifying the highest earners and the contrasting performance of the categories. The comparisons between 2015 and 2016 are accurate and well-supported by the data provided in both the chart and the table. The information is logically grouped, and the inclusion of specific figures adds necessary detail to the summary. The response is well-balanced and covers all categories mentioned in the prompt, meeting the requirements for a high-level task achievement.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. You have used paragraphing effectively to separate the overview from the detailed analysis. Cohesive devices such as 'By contrast', 'Meanwhile', and 'followed by' are used appropriately to link sentences and ideas, ensuring the text flows smoothly. The referencing is clear, and the structure of the report is professional and easy to follow. There is a natural transition between the general trends and the specific data points, which demonstrates a high level of control over the structure of the report.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You have demonstrated a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey information with precision. Phrases such as 'generated the highest export earnings', 'noticeable growth', and 'significant improvement' are used effectively. The terminology is appropriate for an academic report. While the vocabulary is accurate and fits the context well, incorporating a few more sophisticated or less common lexical items could elevate the response further. However, the current range is more than adequate for the task, and there are no errors in word choice or collocation that impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The response displays a good variety of complex structures, such as the use of participial phrases ('representing a 5.18% decrease') and subordinate clauses. The majority of sentences are error-free, and the control over punctuation is excellent. The grammar is accurate throughout, and the use of tense is consistent with the requirements of describing past data. There are no significant grammatical errors, and the sentence structures are varied enough to maintain the reader's interest while remaining clear and concise.

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