Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-08-21
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 5.5)
The bar chart compares the export’s earnings of a country in five categories petroleum products, engineered goods, gems and jewellery, agricultural products, and textiles in 2015 and 2016. Overall, The petroleum peoducts had the highest earnings in both years and textiles experienced the largest increase. The agricultural products had been least changed over this duration.
In 2015 petrolium production generated approximately $60 billions and this figure raise to around $63 billions in 2016. Similarly in 2015 engineered goods earned $57 and in 2016 increase 8.5% percentage approx $61 billions. The highest increase in over chart was textiles in 2015 earning was $25 millions and in 2016 boost 15.24% about $30 millions.
Gems and jewellery in 2015 earned $43 millions and raise 5.18% in 2016 approx $41 millions. The agricultural production was small change beetween both years in 2015 earnde $31 millions and in 2016 approx $31.5 millions not large change in 2015 to 2016 in agricultural sector.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers all parts of the task by identifying the main features and comparing the categories. You successfully highlighted the highest earner (petroleum) and the category with the largest increase (textiles). However, there are significant inaccuracies in the data reporting. For example, you state that gems and jewellery earned $43 million in 2015 and rose to $41 million in 2016, which contradicts the provided data (a decrease). Furthermore, the units are inconsistent; you refer to billions for some categories and millions for others, which is confusing. To improve, ensure you carefully transcribe the data and maintain consistent units throughout the report.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into three paragraphs, which is a logical structure for this task. There is a clear introduction, a body paragraph for the main data, and a concluding section. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and occasionally repetitive. Phrases like 'in 2015' and 'in 2016' are used frequently, making the flow feel a bit stilted. While the progression of ideas is generally clear, the transition between sentences could be smoother. Using a wider variety of linking words, such as 'conversely' or 'in contrast', would help improve the overall cohesion of the response.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks the precision required for higher bands. You use basic verbs like 'raise' and 'increase' repeatedly. There are also several spelling errors, such as 'petrolium' and 'peoducts', and word choice issues, such as 'the highest increase in over chart'. While the meaning is generally conveyed, the lack of variety and the presence of spelling mistakes limit the score. To reach a higher band, focus on using more sophisticated synonyms for 'increase' and 'decrease' and ensure you proofread for basic spelling errors.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. For instance, 'this figure raise to' should be 'this figure rose to', and 'in 2015 earning was $25 millions' is grammatically incorrect. There are also issues with subject-verb agreement and article usage (e.g., 'the agricultural production was small change'). While the meaning is usually understandable, the frequency of these errors prevents the response from reaching a higher band. Focusing on verb tense consistency and basic sentence construction will significantly improve your accuracy.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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