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 bar chart compares the exports of a country in various categories during the years 2015 and 2016. Additionally, the table displays the change in terms of percentages from 2015 to 2016 in each category of exports.

Except one category, 2016 has produced more earnings than 2015 in every other category. Textiles industry showing the highest percentage increase from 2015 to 2016.

In the year 2015, Petroleum products export has contributed most to the export income. Engineered goods came close second this year but both these sectors match the contribution in the year 2016 showing 3 and 8.5 percentage increase respectively.

Gems and jewellery is the only category where a percentage drop has been observed

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which significantly impacts the ability to fully develop the task. While the introduction and overview are present, the body paragraphs are underdeveloped. The response identifies some main features, such as the growth in most categories and the decline in gems and jewellery, but it lacks a comprehensive analysis of the data. Key comparisons between categories are missing, and the description of the figures is too brief to provide a clear summary. To improve, you must ensure all parts of the prompt are addressed with sufficient detail and data support.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organised into short paragraphs, which helps with the overall structure. However, the progression of ideas is limited due to the brevity of the text. Cohesive devices are used, such as 'Additionally' and 'In the year 2015', but the transitions between sentences feel somewhat mechanical. The lack of sufficient content makes it difficult to demonstrate a flexible use of cohesive devices. To reach a higher band, focus on using a wider range of linking words to connect your ideas more fluidly and ensure that each paragraph has a clear, well-developed focus.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary used is generally appropriate for the task, with terms like 'earnings', 'percentage increase', and 'contribution'. However, the range is limited, and there is some repetition of basic structures. There are also minor issues with word choice, such as 'Petroleum products export has contributed most', which would be more natural as 'Petroleum product exports were the largest contributor'. To improve, try to incorporate more varied vocabulary related to data description, such as 'fluctuated', 'remained stable', or 'experienced a significant surge', to demonstrate a wider lexical range.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are some grammatical errors, such as 'Textiles industry showing the highest percentage increase', which lacks a main verb, and 'Engineered goods came close second', which is missing an article ('a close second'). While these errors do not completely impede communication, they are frequent enough to affect the overall quality. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of articles. Aim to construct more complex sentences with accurate punctuation to demonstrate better control over your grammar.

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

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