Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-09-22
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 illustrates the export valuation of a particular nation with distinctive categories for the year 2015 and 2016. However, the table depicts the change in proportion for each category in 2016 comparing with 2015.
Considering from an overall perspective, it can be apparently observed that percentage of each category was gradually increased except gems and jewellery. However, the highest growth was noticeable for textile values, whereas the least growth for agriculture products.
To begin with, in 2015, the export value of petroleum and products was stand at approximately 60$ billions which than increased by 3% at around 62$ billions. In contrast, in the initial year the valuation of engineered good was around 58$ billions before rising for 8.5% and in 2016 the value was nearly 61$ billions. Moreover, gems and jewellery value was around 42$ billion in 2016 before experiencing downward trend by 5.18% and in 2016 the export value was 40.5$ billions .
Furthermore, the export valuation of agricultural products was approximately 30$ billions. However, its value just increased by 0.81% in 2016 at around 31$ billions only. Lastly, the export value of textile was roughly around 25$ billions in 2016 before witnessing a huge rise for 15.24% in 2016 with approximately 31$ billions
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0
The student successfully addresses all parts of the prompt by summarizing the main features of the chart and table, and making appropriate comparisons. The overview captures the general upward trend for most categories alongside the exception of gems and jewellery. Key data points from 2015 and 2016 are reported accurately, such as the initial and final values and percentage changes. However, there are minor confusions regarding years in the detailed body paragraphs, such as stating export values for 2015 referred to 2016 in the final sentence. Despite these minor temporal slips, the core requirements of Task 1 are well covered, supporting a solid Band 6.5.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is organized logically with a clear introduction, an overview paragraph, and detailed body paragraphs. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate different categories of information. Cohesive devices are employed to connect ideas, such as "In contrast" and "Furthermore," though some transitions feel slightly mechanical or repetitive (e.g., overusing "However"). Referencing is generally clear, but occasional temporal confusion (e.g., repeatedly mentioning 2016 in the final paragraph when discussing historical data) slightly disrupts the logical flow. Overall progression is clear, meeting the requirements for a Band 6.0.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully employing terms related to data analysis such as "valuation," "proportion," "downward trend," and "rise." However, there are noticeable word choice and collocation errors throughout the text, such as "export valuation" instead of "export value," "change in proportion" instead of "percentage change," and confusing prepositions like "rising for 8.5%" instead of "by 8.5%." Spelling and word formation errors do not impede communication, placing the response firmly at Band 6.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence forms with varying degrees of success. There are frequent grammatical errors, particularly with verb tenses, voice, and prepositions, such as "was stand at" instead of "stood at," "valuation of engineered good was" instead of "goods were," and mixing up years. While complex structures are attempted, they often contain errors (e.g., "before experiencing downward trend"). However, these errors rarely impede overall communication, allowing the response to achieve a Band 5.5.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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