Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-08-25
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 GIVEN BARGRAPHS ILLUSTRATE THE VALUE OF ONE NATION'S EXPORT IN SEVERAL CLASSIFICATIONS DURING YEAR 2015 AND 2016. THE TABLE DEMONSTRATES THE PERCENTAGE FLUCTUATION IN EACH CATEGORY OF EXPORTS IN 2016 COMPARED WITH 2015.
TO COMMENCE WITH , PETROLEUM PRODUCTS WERE EXPORTED IN 2015 FOR 60 BILLION. IN 2015 , ENGINEERED GOODS WAS TRADE OUTSIDE THE COUNTRY FOR AROUND 55 BILLION , ABOVE 40 BILLION GEMS AND JEWELLERY WAS BEING EXPORTED . SLIGHTLY ABOVE 30 BILLION AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS WERE OUTFLOW AND TEXTILES FOR ABOUT 25 BILLION. IN 2016 , PETROLEUM GOODS WERE SOLD IN OTHER COUNTRIES MORE THAN 60 BILLION . TRANSFERED OF ENGINEERED GOODS TOOK PLACE NEARLY 60 BILLION , GEMES AND JEWELLERY WAS EXPORTED AROUND 40 , AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS WERE EXCHANGE ABOVE 30 BILLION AND TEXTILE FOR AROUND 25 BILLION .
ON OTHER HAND TABLE DEPICTS CHANGES OCCURED DURING 2015 TO 2016 AS PETROLEUM PRODUCTS ROSE BY 3% WHILE ENGINERED GOODS ALSO INCREASED BY 8.5% , EVEN AGRICULTURE ITEMS ALSO EXPERIENCE INCLINED OF VALUE BY 0.81% IN ADDITION , TEXTILES ROSE BY 15.24% ONLY GEMES AND JEWELLERY DECLINED BY 5.18%
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 summarizing the main features of both the bar charts and the table. You successfully identified the key trends, such as the growth in petroleum and textiles, and the decline in gems and jewellery. However, the report lacks a clear overview or summary paragraph that highlights the most significant trends at a glance. Additionally, some data points are described with vague phrasing like 'around' or 'above', which could be more precise given the visual data. To improve, ensure you synthesize the information rather than just listing data points, and always include a clear introductory overview statement.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is organized into three paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and repetitive. Phrases like 'To commence with' and 'On other hand' are used, but the transition between the description of the bar charts and the table is abrupt. The logical progression of ideas is present, but the flow between sentences could be improved by using a wider variety of linking words and better referencing to avoid repetitive sentence structures. Paragraphing is used, but the final paragraph is quite dense and would benefit from better internal structure.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
You have a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey the main points, such as 'fluctuation', 'categories', and 'declined'. However, there are several instances of awkward word choice and collocation errors, such as 'engineered goods was trade outside' instead of 'traded' or 'exported', and 'agricultural products were exchange' instead of 'exchanged'. Additionally, there are spelling errors like 'enginered' and 'gemes'. To reach a higher band, focus on using more precise terminology for data reporting and ensure that word forms (e.g., noun vs. verb) are used correctly in context.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response uses a mix of simple and some complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede the flow. Common issues include subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'engineered goods was trade') and missing articles (e.g., 'on other hand table depicts'). The use of passive voice is attempted but often results in awkward phrasing, such as 'textiles for about 25 billion'. While the meaning is generally clear, the high frequency of minor errors in tense and sentence construction prevents the response from reaching a higher band. Focusing on proofreading for basic subject-verb agreement would significantly improve your score.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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