Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)
The bar chart compares the exports in 2015 with 2016. First start with 2015 and analyse the bar chart. In 2015, petroleum product earnings were something around 60.1 billion dollars, and engineered goods earnings were 50.7 billion dollars. Then, moving forward to gems and jewellery, export earnings were 40.3 billion dollars, and agricultural products almost earned 30.1 billion dollars. Looking at textiles, their earnings were 20.6 billion dollars. If we see the highest export earnings, petroleum products earned the most, and the least export earnings were from textiles. However, the negative aspect is that if you see the 2015 export earnings graph, there was no increase in anything; every export earning was less than the previous one.
Let's start the analysis of 2016 export earnings. In 2016, petroleum product export earnings increased from 60.1 to 60.3 billion dollars, and engineered goods also increased from 50.7 to 60.2 billion dollars. Additionally, gems and jewellery decrease from 40.3 to 40.1 billion dollors, and agricultural products increased from 30.1 to 30.2 billion dollars, while textiles increased their export earnings from 20.6 to 30.2 billion dollars.
Overall, petroleum products had the highest export earnings in both 2015 and 2016, while textiles had the lowest earnings in 2015. Most of the export categories experienced an increase in 2016, except for gems and jewellery, which showed a slight decrease. The most noticeable increases were seen in engineered goods and textiles.
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 the main features of the charts well, identifying the highest and lowest categories and describing overall trends between 2015 and 2016. However, there are some misreadings of the exact data figures provided in the prompt (e.g., stating petroleum products were around 60.1 billion in 2015 when the chart shows 61, and misinterpreting the percentage changes or figures for textiles). The student also includes a somewhat confusing statement claiming that 'every export earning was less than the previous one' in 2015, which misunderstands the category layout. Despite these minor inaccuracies in data reporting, the overview at the end correctly captures the main trends. This places the response comfortably at Band 6.0.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The response is organized into logical paragraphs, beginning with an introduction, followed by body paragraphs addressing individual years, and concluding with a clear overall summary. Cohesive devices such as 'First start with', 'Then, moving forward to', and 'Overall' are used to structure the text, though some transitions feel a bit mechanical or conversational (e.g., 'Let's start the analysis'). Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the analysis of 2015 and 2016 from the overall summary. Referencing is mostly clear, though occasional clunky phrasing disrupts the smooth flow of ideas. This corresponds to a solid Band 6.0.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for an academic task, incorporating terms such as 'export earnings', 'categories', 'experienced an increase', and 'slight decrease'. However, there are some noticeable vocabulary and spelling errors, such as spelling 'dollors' instead of 'dollars', and imprecise word choices like 'negative aspect' when describing data trends. Less common lexical items are attempted but occasionally lack precision or natural collocation. Overall, the lexical range is sufficient to communicate the main points, earning a Band 6.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5
The response demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, such as 'The bar chart compares the exports in 2015 with 2016' and 'Most of the export categories experienced an increase in 2016, except for gems and jewellery, which showed a slight decrease.' There are several grammatical errors and awkward phrasing choices throughout, such as 'First start with 2015 and analyse' and 'gems and jewellery decrease from 40.3 to 40.1'. However, these errors rarely impede communication and the meaning remains clear. This performance aligns with the Band 6.0 descriptors.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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