Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-09-03

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 gives information about the value of one country's exports in different products such as Petroleum, Engineered, Gems and Jewellery, Agriculture and Textiles between 2015 and 2016. The table chart illustrates the proportion of change in each category of exports in 2016 compared with 2015. Units are measured in dollars.

Overall, in the table chart, the expenditure of the petroleum products was higher than that of textiles. The highest value on petroleum products, and the lowest value on textiles in both years. In the table chart, textiles have the longest percentage and the agricultural products have the lowest percentage in values.

First of all, in 2015, petroleum products were earning around 60 billion dollars, engineered goods were earning 55 billion dollars, gems and jewellery were earning 42 billion dollars, textiles were earning around 26 billion dollars. In 2016, petroleum products were earning around 62 billion dollars, engineered goods were earning 60 billion dollars, gems and jewellery was earning 40 billion dollars, textiles were earning around 31 billion dollars. Agricultural products were same earning around 31 billion dollars in both years.

On the other hand, regarding the percentage change in values ([redacted phone]), petroleum products increased by 3%, engineered goods rose by 8.5%, gems and jewellery decreased by 5.18%, agricultural products rose by 0.81%, and textiles increased by 15.24%.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

You have successfully identified the main features of the data and provided a clear overview. You included data from both the bar chart and the table, making relevant comparisons. However, there are some inaccuracies in your interpretation of the data. For instance, you stated that agricultural products remained the same at 31 billion dollars in both years, but the table shows a 0.81% increase, and the bar chart visual suggests a slight change. Additionally, your overview is slightly confusing; you mention 'expenditure' when the task refers to 'exports', and you describe textiles as having the 'longest percentage', which is imprecise terminology. To improve, ensure you carefully distinguish between the value (billions) and the percentage change.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The response is logically organized into an introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs. You use some cohesive devices like 'First of all' and 'On the other hand' to signal transitions. However, the cohesion is sometimes mechanical, and the referencing is occasionally unclear, such as when you refer to 'the table chart' repeatedly rather than using pronouns or more varied linking phrases. Paragraphing is used appropriately, but the flow between sentences could be improved by using more sophisticated cohesive devices to connect the data points rather than simply listing them.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'proportion of change', 'categories', and 'increased'. However, there are some word choice errors, such as using 'expenditure' instead of 'export value' and 'longest percentage' instead of 'highest percentage increase'. These errors do not impede communication, but they do limit the precision of your report. To move to a higher band, try to incorporate more varied reporting verbs and nouns related to data trends, such as 'fluctuated', 'marginal increase', or 'significant growth'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While many sentences are clear, there are several grammatical slips, such as 'gems and jewellery was earning' (should be 'were') and 'Agricultural products were same earning' (should be 'earned the same amount'). There are also minor issues with article usage and prepositional phrases. Despite these errors, the meaning remains clear throughout the response. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement and refining your use of comparative structures to ensure they are grammatically sound.

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

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