Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-09-19
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 graph explains the exports in different categories in one country between 2015 and 2016 while the data indicates the exports percentage alter in every category in 2016 compared with 2015. There were five different categories petroleum producrs, engineered goods, gems and jewellery, agricultural products and textiles. Overall, textiles were least export product in both years while petroleum products had highest export item. All four categories were recorded increased in their earnings in 2016 except gems and jwellery.
In 2015, petroleum products export made highest money 61 billions dollars and textiles products earned lowest money around 26 billions dollar. Engineered goods were at second most exported item which earned 57 billions dollar. Gems and jewellery and agricultural products were earned approximatley 43 billions dollar and 31 billions dollar.
In 2016, all four categories slightly higher whereas gems and jwellery recorded lower export earning 41 billions dollar slightly lower than 2015. Petroeum products and engineered goods at same point which was around 63 billions dollar. Agricultural export earned 32 billions dollar same as in the 2015 while the maximum increase in textiles earning in comparison with 2015 which was 32 billions dollar.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The student covers all parts of the task by reporting the main features of both the bar graph and the table, making relevant comparisons. An overview is present ('Overall, textiles were least export product...'), and key figures are cited correctly, such as petroleum products starting at 61 billion dollars in 2015 and rising to 63 billion dollars in 2016. However, there are some inaccuracies and awkward phrasings in reporting data, such as stating 'textiles earning... which was 32 billions dollar' while the table notes a 15.24% change and the bar shows 31.5. Ideas are generally clear and supported, placing this response firmly in Band 6.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response has a coherent overall arrangement with a clear paragraph structure separating the introduction, overview, 2015 data, and 2016 data. Logical progression is attempted, but cohesive devices are occasionally faulty or mechanical ('the data indicates the exports percentage alter', 'all four categories slightly higher'). Referencing is sometimes unclear, and paragraphing could be managed more effectively to group related comparisons together. Nonetheless, the message is easy to follow, aligning well with the Band 6 descriptors.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The student attempts an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'export earnings', 'categories', 'percentage change', and 'maximum increase'. However, there are noticeable word-choice and spelling errors ('producrs', 'jwellery', 'least export product' instead of 'lowest export product', 'export percentage alter'). Less common lexical items are attempted but lack precision and natural collocation. These errors do not impede communication, placing the vocabulary score at Band 5.5 to 6.0; Band 6 is awarded as communication is maintained despite slips.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence forms ('The bar graph explains... while the data indicates...'). There are frequent grammatical errors and awkward structures, such as missing prepositions or incorrect verb forms ('All four categories were recorded increased', 'petroleum products export made highest money', 'were earned approximatley'). Punctuation is generally acceptable, and while the errors sometimes cause the reader to pause, they do not severely impede overall understanding. This performance reflects Band 5.5 to 6.0, fitting the Band 6 descriptor where errors persist but do not block communication.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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