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 that highlights the main trends, such as the general increase in export earnings and the specific decline in the gems and jewellery sector. The data is well-selected, with accurate comparisons made between the two years and across the different categories. By integrating the percentage change data from the table with the absolute values from the bar chart, you have provided a comprehensive summary. The information is logically grouped, and the key features are clearly identified, meeting the requirements for a high band score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response is well-organized with a clear logical progression. Each paragraph has a distinct focus: the introduction and overview, the high-value categories, and the remaining categories. Cohesive devices such as 'By contrast,' 'Meanwhile,' and 'respectively' are used effectively to link ideas and compare data points. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the flow of information is smooth throughout the text. There is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive use of linking words, and the structure supports the reader's understanding of the data presented.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey the information precisely. Phrases like 'generated the highest export earnings,' 'noticeable growth,' and 'most significant improvement' demonstrate a good command of topic-specific language. The use of 'respectively' and 'by contrast' shows an ability to use more sophisticated cohesive and descriptive language. While the vocabulary is accurate and appropriate for an academic report, it could be further elevated by incorporating a slightly wider variety of synonyms for 'increase' and 'decrease' to avoid repetition, though the current usage is already quite strong.

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 grammar is highly accurate, with the majority of sentences being error-free. Punctuation is used correctly to manage the flow of information. There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication. The control over sentence structure is consistent, and the use of tense is appropriate for describing historical data. The writing is clear, professional, and demonstrates a high level of grammatical competence.

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