Band 4.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-09-28

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 4.5)

The bar chart compares the value of one country's export in some product categories (petroleum products, engineered goods, gems and jewellery, agriculture products, textiles) during 2015 and 2016.

As per the given data all categories are likely similar. But there is a deflation can be seem in one category gems and jewellery. If we compare it with both years it is deflated by nearly 5.18% which is a very big change.

However, there is an inflation can be seen in the sector of textiles. People are spending more in their clothing rather than that of other things. As per the given data it is increased about 15.24% in comparison to last year.

Overall, you can see the major impact on

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5

The response fails to meet the minimum length requirement of 150 words, stopping abruptly at only 120 words with an unfinished concluding sentence ("Overall, you can see the major impact on..."). While the student attempts to identify some data points, such as the decrease in gems and jewellery (-5.18%) and the increase in textiles (+15.24%), the coverage of the visual data is superficial and incomplete. Major categories like petroleum products and engineered goods are mentioned in the introduction but never discussed regarding their specific values or trends. Furthermore, the use of economic terms like "deflation" and "inflation" is inaccurate in the context of export values. Due to the incomplete length and limited development of main features, the response falls into the lower-middle band.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.0

The text is divided into short, disjointed paragraphs, and the final paragraph cuts off mid-sentence, preventing any coherent overall progression. Cohesive devices are used awkwardly or incorrectly; for instance, phrases like "As per the given data all categories are likely similar" lack logical connection and clarity. Referencing and paragraphing are poorly managed because the ideas are fragmented rather than built into a cohesive, well-structured comparison typical of Academic Task 1 responses. The lack of a completed overview or conclusion further disrupts the organizational flow.

Lexical Resource: Band 4.5

The vocabulary used is quite limited and frequently inappropriate for a data analysis task. The student misapplies economic terminology, stating that gems and jewellery "deflated" and textiles experienced "inflation," when the correct terms are "decreased" or "declined" and "increased" or "grew." Additionally, the phrase "People are spending more in their clothing" is incorrect for an export chart, as the data reflects country export earnings rather than consumer spending. While a few percentage figures are accurately extracted, the overall lexical range and control are weak, causing noticeable strain.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The grammatical range is restricted mainly to simple and basic complex structures. There are noticeable errors in prepositions, verb forms, and voice, such as "a deflation can be seem" (should be 'can be seen') and "spending more in their clothing" (should be 'on'). The abrupt termination of the text at the end also leaves a grammatically incomplete sentence structure. While some sentences are understandable, the frequency of basic errors and the lack of a fully controlled, varied grammatical range place this in the lower-middle tier.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.