Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-09-14

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 6.5)

The chart illustrates the value of one country's exports during 2015 and 2016 in five categories: petroleum products, engineered goods, gems and jewellery, agricultural products and textiles, while the table shows the percentage change in each category over the period.

Overall, petroleum products and engineered goods had the largest proportions among all five categories in both 2015 and 2016. Gems and jewellery had the second largest percentage followed by agricultural products and textiles which had the smallest proportions over the two years. Textiles had the largest percentage change in values over the two years while agricultural products changed much less over the same period.

Textiles experienced a significant increase of 15.24% between 2015 and 2016. Similarly, engineered goods rose over the period with a change of 8.5%.

In contrast, gems and jewellery experienced a decline of 5.18% in the same period. Petroleum products increased slightly from a percentage of 61% in 2015 to 64% in 2016 with a change of 3%. Agricultural products, however, remained almost stable with a change of 0.81%.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The student successfully addresses all parts of the prompt by summarising the main features of the chart and table. An effective overview is provided, noting that petroleum products and engineered goods were the largest categories, while textiles had the greatest percentage change. Key data points and comparisons are accurately selected and reported across the categories, such as the significant increase in textiles (15.24%) and the decline in gems and jewellery (-5.18%). The response covers all required aspects of the visual data well and meets the criteria for Band 7.0.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The report exhibits a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Information is divided effectively into paragraphs, starting with an introduction, followed by an overall summary, and then detailed body paragraphs grouping related trends. Cohesive devices such as 'In contrast' and 'Similarly' are used appropriately to link ideas and make comparisons, although referencing could be slightly more varied. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, meeting the descriptor requirements for a solid Band 7.0.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The student demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary for the task, allowing for some flexibility and precision with terms such as 'proportions', 'significant increase', and 'remain almost stable'. Less common lexical items and data descriptors are integrated with some awareness of style and collocation. There are occasional minor awkward expressions, such as 'increased slightly from a percentage of 61%', but overall the vocabulary is adequate and effective, supporting a Band 6.5 or 7.0 score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

A good mix of simple and complex sentence forms is utilised throughout the response, featuring relative and comparative structures well. Grammar and punctuation control are generally good, resulting in frequent error-free sentences. Minor slips occur, such as the awkward phrasing around percentages, but these do not impede communication. The structural variety and accuracy align well with the Band 7.0 descriptors for grammatical range and accuracy.

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

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