Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-08-24

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 provided demonstration represents the change of country's export value in different categories during the time span of 2015 and 2016.

To begin with the highest earning among all products categories was in Petroleum products which was near $61 billion with a little growth in 2016 at $63 billion. The earning by Textiles was $25 billion in the year 2015 and its the only product to gain the most amount of earning in one year at $31 billion.

Moving further to Engineered goods, in 2015 it earned $57 billion and grow at $61 billion in 2016. The least amount of growth is seen in agriculture which was $31 billion in 2015 and increased only $1 billion in 2016.

At last, surprisingly the only one variety in which country lost the export earning was gems and jewellery which was $43 billion in 2015 and reached $41 billion in 2016.

To conclude, its clear that there was growth in every aspects of earning during the time period but there was only one factor in which the country lost money.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers all categories and provides a clear overview of the main trends. You successfully identified the highest earner (Petroleum) and the only category that experienced a decline (Gems and jewellery). However, the task also included a table showing percentage changes, which you largely ignored. To reach a higher band, you should integrate the percentage data provided in the table to support your description of the export values. While the main features are reported, the analysis lacks the depth required for a higher score, as it focuses primarily on the raw figures rather than synthesizing the relationship between the chart and the table.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, body paragraphs for different categories, and a concluding summary. You use basic cohesive devices such as 'To begin with', 'Moving further', and 'At last' to guide the reader. However, the transitions are somewhat mechanical and repetitive. The paragraphing is appropriate, but the flow between sentences could be improved by using more varied linking phrases. Referencing is generally clear, though some sentences feel slightly disjointed. To improve, focus on using a wider range of cohesive devices to connect ideas more fluidly rather than relying on simple sequence markers.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'export value', 'time span', and 'categories'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'gain the most amount of earning' (should be 'experienced the highest growth') and 'grow at $61 billion' (should be 'grew to $61 billion'). The vocabulary is functional but lacks the precision and sophistication required for higher bands. To improve, focus on using more precise verbs to describe trends, such as 'fluctuated', 'surged', or 'contracted', and ensure that collocations are natural.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors throughout the text. For example, 'its the only product' (missing apostrophe in 'it's'), 'grow at $61 billion' (incorrect tense/preposition), and 'in every aspects' (subject-verb agreement error). While these errors do not impede communication, they are noticeable and occur frequently. To achieve a higher band, you need to demonstrate better control over verb tenses and pluralization. Ensure you proofread your work to catch basic errors in punctuation and subject-verb agreement, which will help improve the overall accuracy of your writing.

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

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