Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-09-26
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 compares the export earnings of a country in the categories of petroleum products, engineered goods, gems and jewellery, Agricultural products, and textiles in 2015 and 2016. The table provides data on the percentage changes in the values of the same variety of items in the same years. The export measured in billions.
Overall, in the chart, petroleum products had the highest exports in both years. However, in the table, the textile products had the highest proportion.
Moving into the details, petroleum products had exports of 67 and 62 billion in 2016 and 2015, respectively, which were the highest export as compare to the others item. Moreover, engineered goods were second on number, had 55 and 63 billions export in 2015 and 2016. Gems and jewellery were third in position in exports: 42 and 44 in 2016 and 2015. However, agriculture goods had minor differences, about 21 and 32 in 2015 and 2016. Meanwhile, textile had lowest export for both years, 25 and 33 billion.
On the other hand, in the table, the largest changes in values in textiles: 15.24% followed Gems and jewellery, 5.18% for 2015 nad 2016. While, engineered good and, petroleum goods were at moderate proporton, 8.5% and 3%. Furthermore, the agriculture products had mimimum chnages, 0.81% for year 2016 and 2015.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0
The student covers most parts of the task by introducing both the bar chart and table, and attempts to present an overview as well as details. However, there are significant data inaccuracies and confusion throughout the body paragraphs. For instance, the student states that petroleum products had exports of '67 and 62 billion in 2016 and 2015', whereas the chart shows 61 in 2015 and 63 in 2016. Furthermore, the figures cited for other categories, such as agriculture and textiles, are largely misread or reversed. The overview is somewhat superficial and partially confused regarding table proportions. Because key features are inaccurately reported, the response falls into Band 5.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0
The response is organised into logical paragraphs with a clear introduction, overview, and body paragraphs. Basic cohesive devices and transition signals are used, such as 'Overall', 'Moving into the details', and 'On the other hand'. However, referencing and progression are sometimes faulty, as seen in awkward phrasing like 'second on number' and 'minor differences, about 21 and 32'. Paragraphing is present and visually separates the introduction, overview, and details, but internal logical progression within the body paragraphs is disrupted by inaccurate data reporting and slightly mechanical transitions, placing it securely at Band 6.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is generally adequate for describing charts and tables, including terms such as 'categories', 'export earnings', 'percentage changes', and 'proportion'. However, there are frequent inappropriate word choices and lexical slips, such as 'second on number', 'agriculture goods' (instead of agricultural products), 'mimimum chnages', and 'proporton'. Less common vocabulary is attempted with limited success. Spelling errors like 'nad' (and), 'chnages', and 'proporton' appear. These inaccuracies do not entirely impede communication, but they restrict the lexical score to Band 5.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The writer attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, including comparative forms and relative clauses ('The bar chart compares...', 'which were the highest export as compare to the others item'). However, there are frequent grammatical errors throughout the text, including subject-verb agreement issues, incorrect prepositions ('as compare to', 'at moderate proporton'), and tense confusion ('had 55 and 63 billions export'). Punctuation and phrasing errors are noticeable and occasionally cause strain for the reader. The control of grammar is consistent with a Band 5 performance.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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