Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-08-29
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 following bar graph and table illustrate the export earnings of a country in 5 different categories during 2015 and 2016 while highlighting their percentage change in values.
Overall, the export earning in petroleum products, engineered goods, agricultural products as well as textiles have seen slight increase in 2016 as compared to 2015 while the export earnings of gems and jewelry has seen a nominal decrease during that time.
Detailed analysis of the graph showcases the marginal growth in the export earnings of a country during 2015 and 2016 in 4 different categories which include petroleum products which increased from 60.5% to 62%, engineered goods which inclined from 58% to 61%, agricultural products which rose from 31% to 32% and textiles which grew from 26% to 32%. However, the exports earning of gems and jewelry had declined from 43% to 41%.
Furthermore, textile products have increased its value the most by 15.24% while gems and jewelry remains the only category in which percentage change has been dropped by 5.18% in 2016 as compared to 2015.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| 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 making relevant comparisons. You successfully highlighted the overall trends and provided specific data points for both years. However, there is a significant issue with the interpretation of the data: you have described the export values as percentages (e.g., '60.5% to 62%'), whereas the chart likely represents monetary values (e.g., billions of dollars). Misinterpreting the units of measurement is a common error that affects the accuracy of the report. To improve, ensure you carefully read the axis labels and legends before drafting your response.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The response is logically organized with a clear introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs. The use of cohesive devices such as 'Overall', 'Detailed analysis', and 'Furthermore' helps guide the reader through the information. However, the progression of ideas could be smoother. The transition between the general overview and the specific data points is a bit mechanical. Additionally, the paragraphing is appropriate, but the internal structure of the paragraphs could be improved by grouping the data more effectively rather than listing them sequentially.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'illustrate', 'marginal growth', and 'nominal decrease'. There are some minor inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'inclined' (usually used for slopes or preferences rather than numerical growth) and 'exports earning' (should be 'export earnings'). While the vocabulary is sufficient to convey the message clearly, it lacks the sophistication and precision required for higher band scores. Incorporating more varied synonyms for 'increase' and 'decrease' would enhance the quality of your writing.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are some grammatical errors, such as 'textile products have increased its value' (subject-verb agreement error: 'their value') and 'percentage change has been dropped' (incorrect passive voice usage). Despite these errors, the meaning remains clear throughout the text. To reach a higher band, focus on ensuring subject-verb agreement and using passive voice constructions more accurately. The punctuation is generally correct, which helps maintain the flow of the text.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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