Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-08-15

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 6.0)

the bar chart illustrates the value of exports in five different categories in 2015 and 2016, while the table depicts the proportion change of each category between these two years. values measured in billions of dollars.

it can be clearly seen that, export earnings increased in 4 out of 5 categories from 2015 to 2016. petroleum products remained the highest export, while textiles saw the greatest percentage growth despite starting from the lowest base. gems and jewellery was the only category to experience a drop.

in 2015, petroleum products generated just over 60$ billion, making it the top export. this rose by 3% to approximately 62$ billion in 2016. engineered goods were second, growing by 8.5% from around $56 billion to $61 billion , narrowing the gap with petroleum.

the other categories were much smaller. textiles, although the lowest in 2015 at about $25 billion, recorded the sharpest increase of 15.24% to reach 430 billion. agriculture products saw minimal growth of 8.1%, remaining at $30 billion. in contrast, gems and jewellery was the only sector to fall, dropping by 5.18% from $42 billion to $ 40 billion.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

You have successfully identified the main features of the data, including the overall trends and specific category comparisons. You correctly highlighted the growth in most categories and the decline in gems and jewellery. However, there is a significant data error in your report: you stated that textiles reached '430 billion', which is a misinterpretation of the data provided. Accuracy in reporting figures is essential for a high band score in Task 1. Additionally, while you provided a good overview, ensure that all figures are transcribed accurately to avoid misleading the reader.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs that group the data effectively. The use of cohesive devices such as 'in contrast,' 'while,' and 'although' helps to guide the reader through the comparisons. However, the paragraphing and flow could be improved by ensuring that the transition between the general overview and the specific details is smoother. The referencing is generally clear, though the mechanical nature of some transitions prevents the response from reaching a higher band.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'generated,' 'narrowing the gap,' and 'sharpest increase.' There are some minor issues with currency formatting (e.g., '60$ billion' instead of '$60 billion') and a significant error in the numerical value for textiles. While you attempt to use varied vocabulary, the accuracy of your data reporting impacts the overall effectiveness of your lexical choices. To improve, focus on consistent formatting and precise data transcription.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as 'textiles, although the lowest in 2015 at about $25 billion, recorded the sharpest increase.' There are some punctuation and capitalization errors, such as starting sentences with lowercase letters and inconsistent spacing around symbols. While these errors do not impede communication, they are frequent enough to prevent a higher score. Focus on proofreading your work to ensure standard capitalization and consistent punctuation throughout your writing.

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.