Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-09-29

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 6.0)

The bar chart illustrates the amount of a nation's exports in various categories in 2015 and 2016, and table compares the proportions of change in each category in 2016 and 2015.

Overall, the petroleum products were the most dominant export earnings in both the years. Meanwhile, textiles sector earned the least money in export. However, the proportions of Textiles was the highest change in values, while agriculture products was the least.

To begin with, petroleum products and Engineered goods were relatively similar in the both years. The export earnings in Petroleum products was at $60 billions in 2015, while this figure increased slightly to $63 billions in 2016. Similarly, the figures of Engineered goods at $55 billions, and climbed to $62 billions. However, Gems and jewellery was the highest in 2015, at around $43 billions. This figures declined slightly in 2016, at approximately $40 billions. In contrast, export earnings in Agriculture products were relatively similar in both the years, at about $32 billions. Meanwhile, the figure of textiles increased from $15 billions to $32 billions in the given period.

Regarding table, the percentage of the Textiles was the highest in values, at 15.24%, followed by Engineered goods at 8.5%. Furthermore, petroleum products and Gems and jewellery were relatively similar in values, at 3% and 5.18%, respectively. However, the proportions of Agriculture products was the least in values, at 0.81%.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The student covers all parts of the task by presenting data from both the bar chart and the table. An overview is successfully provided, highlighting petroleum products as the highest earnings and textiles experiencing the highest percentage change. Key features and comparisons are generally well-reported, such as mentioning petroleum products at $60 billion and $63 billion in respective years. However, there are some minor data inaccuracies and misreadings compared to the ground truth. For instance, the student states that textiles increased from $15 billion to $32 billion, whereas the chart shows 2015 textiles earnings were around $26 billion. Similarly, the 2015 figure for engineered goods is cited as $55 billion instead of 57. Despite these minor discrepancies, the task is adequately fulfilled, warranting a solid Band 6.5.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response is organized into a clear introductory paragraph, an overview paragraph, a body paragraph detailing the bar chart data, and a final paragraph addressing the table. Logical progression is generally maintained throughout the text. Cohesive devices are used to connect ideas, such as "Overall," "To begin with," and "In contrast." However, referencing is occasionally imprecise or awkward, such as starting the final paragraph with "Regarding table," missing a definite article. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different visual elements, ensuring overall coherence is clear and easy to follow, fitting a Band 6.5 level.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for an Academic Task 1 response, utilizing terms such as "dominant," "proportions," "fluctuated," and "percentage." Less common lexical items are attempted, though with some minor inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as using "proportions of change" instead of "percentage change" or "proportions of Textiles." Spelling is generally accurate throughout the response. The lexical range is sufficient to communicate the main features clearly, though it lacks the more sophisticated precision and flexibility required for higher bands, aligning well with Band 6.0 descriptors.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The response exhibits a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. The writer attempts various complex forms, such as "The bar chart illustrates... and table compares..." and "while agriculture products was the least." There are several grammatical errors and awkward phrasing present, such as "in both the years" (article misuse), "This figures declined" (subject-verb agreement error with plural/singular mismatch), and "the figures of Engineered goods at $55 billions" (missing verb). Punctuation is generally fine, but the grammatical slips occasionally distract the reader without completely impeding communication, placing this criterion at Band 6.0.

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

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