Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-09-18
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 bar chart illustrates rate of one country's exports in categories for example Petroleum products, Engineered goods, Gems and jewellery, Agricultural products and lastly textiles, contrasting in the years 2016 and 2015.
Overall, Petroleum products had the highest percentage in both of the years with 2016 being more elevated. Similarly, textiles were lowest in both the years.
In 2016, most of the products were much higher with pertroleum produts being $62 billions and engineered goods being $61 billions. However, gems and jewellery was lower in 2016 as compared to 2015. Additionally, agricultural products were very similar in number because they did not transition much for instance, it was $31 billions in 2016 and $30 billions in 2015. Textiles had a major variation as in 2016 it was $31 billions.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 4.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.5
The response fails to meet the minimum length requirement of 150 words, containing only 129 words, which negatively impacts the overall task achievement score. While the student attempts to summarise the main features, such as identifying petroleum products as having the highest earnings and mentioning textiles, the selection of data contains inaccuracies. For instance, the student misstates the values for petroleum products and engineered goods in 2016, and misinterprets the data for textiles. Furthermore, the overview is overly simplistic, and comparisons between the two years are underdeveloped. To improve, the writer must ensure all data figures are read accurately from the visual prompt and meet the word count threshold.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The essay has a basic structure with an introduction, a brief overview, and body sentences, but the paragraphing is underdeveloped and fragmented. Cohesive devices are used sparingly and sometimes mechanically, such as 'Overall,' and 'Additionally.' Logical progression between sentences is occasionally hindered by abrupt shifts in focus, such as jumping between different product categories without clear linking structures. Referencing is sometimes unclear, particularly when discussing figures without establishing clear temporal or categorical context. To achieve a higher band, the student should group related ideas into coherent paragraphs and employ a wider, more natural range of cohesive ties.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The lexical resource is limited and repetitive. The student uses basic vocabulary such as 'highest percentage,' 'lowest,' and 'major variation.' There are noticeable spelling and typographical errors, such as 'pertroleum produts' instead of 'petroleum products' and 'transition' used incorrectly in place of 'change' or 'fluctuate.' Attempts to use less common vocabulary are minimal, and word choices are frequently imprecise or unnatural. To improve, the student needs to incorporate a wider range of precise vocabulary specific to describing data, trends, and financial values.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The writing displays a very limited range of grammatical structures, relying mostly on simple sentences with occasional, mostly inaccurate, complex attempts. There are several grammatical errors and awkward phrasings, such as 'illustrate rate of one country's exports in categories for example' and 'textiles were lowest in the years.' Punctuation and article usage also show frequent lapses. Although communication is not entirely obscured, the high density of structural errors keeps the score at this level. To progress, the student should practise constructing accurate complex sentences using subordinate clauses and relative pronouns.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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