Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-08-06

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 5.0)

so, the bar chart shows the export value of one country in five categories in 2015 and 2016. the table below the bar chart shows the percentage change in values of different categories.

first of all, if we talk about petroleum products the export amout was high in 2016 as compared to 2015. the value changed to 3% in 2016.

then,in 2015 engineered goods were being exported between $50-60 billions but in 2016it reached over $60 billions. the cpercentage change in value was 8.5%.

next up we have, gems and jewellery which had an decrease in 2016 by 5.18%. in 2015 gems and jewellery was higher than in compared to 2016.

then, Agricultural products had an increase but not too much. it increased by 0.81% as compared to last year.

lastly, the textiles sector had an rapid increase in export value. in 2015 it was nearly between $20-30 billions. but in 2016 it crossed $30 billions. which is actually high if we compare all 5 sectors or categories.

so, the product categories which had an increase in export value are: Petroleum products, Engineered goods, Agricultural products, and lastly Textiles.

there is only one sector which had an decrease in export value which is Gems and jewellery.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response covers all categories and identifies the main trends, such as the increase in most sectors and the decrease in gems and jewellery. However, the report lacks a clear overview or summary of the main features, which is a requirement for Task 1. The data reporting is somewhat mechanical, listing each category individually rather than grouping them to highlight significant comparisons or contrasts. While the figures are generally accurate, the lack of a cohesive summary and the informal tone prevent the response from reaching a higher band. To improve, ensure you include an introductory overview that highlights the most significant trends across the data set.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The response is organised into short paragraphs, but the logical progression is weak. The use of cohesive devices is repetitive and simplistic, relying heavily on 'then', 'next up', and 'lastly'. The paragraphing is also inconsistent, with some paragraphs consisting of only one or two sentences. The overall structure feels like a list of points rather than a cohesive report. To improve, use a wider variety of linking words and phrases to connect ideas more fluidly, and ensure that each paragraph has a clear thematic focus, such as grouping increasing categories versus decreasing ones.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks range and precision. There is frequent repetition of basic words like 'increase', 'value', and 'export'. Some phrasing is unnatural, such as 'the value changed to 3%' (which is vague) and 'it increased by 0.81% as compared to last year'. There are also minor errors in word choice, such as 'export amout' (spelling) and 'an decrease' (article usage). To reach a higher band, incorporate more precise terminology related to data description, such as 'fluctuated', 'surpassed', or 'experienced a marginal rise'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response relies primarily on simple sentence structures. There are frequent grammatical errors, particularly with articles ('an decrease', 'the textiles sector'), punctuation (missing spaces after commas), and capitalization (sentences starting with lowercase letters). While the meaning is generally clear, the lack of complex sentence structures and the persistent mechanical errors limit the score. To improve, focus on using a mix of complex sentences, such as using relative clauses or subordinating conjunctions, and pay closer attention to basic sentence mechanics like capitalization and spacing.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.