Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-09-05
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 5.0)
The given bar chart illustrates the value of one country's exports in various categories during 2015 and 2016 :
The first category is petroleum products, in 2015, 60 billion dollars are earned by exporting petroleum products whereas in 2016, 62 billion dollars are earned by exporting petroleum products. The next category is engineered goods in 2015, 52 billion dollars are earned from exporting engineered goods whereas in 2016, 61 billion dollars are earned from exporting engineered goods.
The next category is gems and jewellery, in 2015, 41% of income is earned by gems and jewellery whereas in 2016 40% of income is earned by gems and jewellery.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 4.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.0
The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which significantly impacts the score. Furthermore, the content is incomplete; it only covers three categories and fails to include the agricultural exports or the percentage change data provided in the table. The overview is missing, and the response does not effectively select or report the main features or make meaningful comparisons between the categories. To improve, you must ensure all data sets are addressed, include a clear overview of the main trends, and meet the length requirement to allow for full development of ideas.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The response lacks a clear structure. It consists of a brief introduction followed by a list-like description of categories. There is no paragraphing to separate the overview from the supporting details, and the use of cohesive devices is repetitive and mechanical (e.g., 'The next category is...'). The progression of ideas is disjointed because the response stops abruptly. To improve, you should organize your report into clear paragraphs: an introduction, an overview of the main trends, and two body paragraphs that group related data together, using a variety of linking words to connect your points.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is very limited and repetitive. You rely heavily on the phrase 'earned by exporting' throughout the text, which makes the writing monotonous. There is no attempt to use a wider range of vocabulary to describe trends or data, such as 'increased,' 'decreased,' 'fluctuated,' or 'remained stable.' To achieve a higher band, you need to vary your word choice and use more precise terminology related to economic data, such as 'revenue,' 'figures,' 'growth,' or 'decline.'
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The grammatical range is limited to simple sentence structures. There is a lack of complex sentences, which are necessary for a higher score. While the meaning is generally clear, there are issues with punctuation, such as the unnecessary space before the colon in the introduction. Additionally, the phrasing '41% of income is earned by gems and jewellery' is slightly awkward; it would be more accurate to say 'gems and jewellery accounted for 41% of the total export value.' Focus on incorporating complex sentence structures and ensuring consistent verb tense usage.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.