Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-09-04

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 chart illustrates the value of a country exports in various categories between 2015 and 2016 while the table represents the percentage change in single category of exports in 2016 compared with 2015.

Overall, on x-axis we have product category and on y-axis we can see export earnings in billions. The table shows the difference in percentages in two years that came form earning.

First of all, in 2016, earning was 62 billion dollar that was slightly higher than previous year with increase in percentage by value of 3% . Engineering goods and textiles had also shown same trend. In 2016,engineering goods showed almost 61 billion dollar and nearly 55 billion dollar came in 2015 which was slightly less than 2016 and percentage difference increased to 8.5%.

Regrading, from textiles approximately 31 billion dollar earned in 2016 as well as 25 billion dollar in 2015 and percentage showed the highest value 15.24%. If we see, gems and jewellery, it showed opposite trend. Here more income got in 2015 that was 42 billion dollar while in next year, earnings declined and reached 40 billion dollar and percentage also declined to 5.18%. At last, agricultural products remained almost stable in both years with minor increase in percentage 0.81% and almost same money came from this category which was 31 billion dollar.

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 chart and the table, making relevant comparisons such as noting the 'opposite trend' for gems and jewellery. However, the response lacks a clear, professional structure. The introduction is slightly informal, and the body paragraphs are somewhat cluttered with data points. To reach a higher band, ensure you group the data more logically—perhaps by categories that increased versus those that decreased—rather than listing them sequentially. Additionally, ensure you clearly distinguish between the export values (billions) and the percentage changes to avoid confusion.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is coherent, and there is a logical progression of ideas. You use some cohesive devices, such as 'In 2016', 'Regrading', and 'At last', to guide the reader. However, the use of cohesive devices is sometimes mechanical or slightly awkward, such as 'Regrading' (likely meant 'Regarding') and the repetitive structure of the sentences. Paragraphing is present, but the transition between the overview and the body paragraphs could be smoother. To improve, focus on using a wider variety of linking words and phrases to connect your sentences more naturally and improve the flow of your argument.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'export earnings', 'declined', and 'stable'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'came form earning' and 'increase in percentage by value of 3%'. Some phrasing is also slightly unnatural, such as 'more income got in 2015'. To achieve a higher score, try to incorporate more precise academic vocabulary and ensure that your word choices are contextually appropriate. Avoid repetitive sentence structures and focus on using more sophisticated synonyms for 'increase' and 'decrease'.

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. Examples include missing articles ('a country exports'), subject-verb agreement issues ('earning was 62 billion dollar'), and punctuation errors. While these errors do not impede communication, they are noticeable and occur frequently. To improve, pay closer attention to basic grammar rules, such as pluralization and the correct use of articles. Practicing the construction of complex sentences will also help you demonstrate a wider range of grammatical control, which is essential for higher band scores.

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

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