Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-10-04
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 chart shows the value of one country’s exports in various categories during 2015 and 2016 while, the table shows the percentage change in each category of exports in 2016 compared with 2015. The earnings are measured in the billions.
Overall, all the categories had a increase in percentage change in values, except one exception of gems and jewellery, the earning decreased in this category.
Textiles earnings increased from around 15 billion to around 30 billion and had the largest increase by 15.24% as compared to the other categories. Gems and jewellery showed a downward trend, in 2014 it was around 42 billion and its earning decreased to around 40 billion by 2016, it lost 5.18% of its value.
The remaining three categories had a increase in their value. Petroleum products vlaue was increased by 3%. Engineered goods value was increased by 8.5%. Agricultural products had the smallest increase by 0.81%.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5
First, it is important to note that the response falls short of the minimum length requirement, containing 121 words while 31 words copied from the prompt were excluded from the count. The task is addressed only partially. An overview is attempted, but it contains factual inaccuracies: the text states that 'all the categories had a increase in percentage change in values, except one exception of gems and jewellery', whereas the data shows that gems and jewellery actually decreased in value, and petroleum products, engineered goods, agricultural products, and textiles all increased. Key features are selected, such as noting that textiles had the largest percentage increase and gems and jewellery showed a downward trend, but details are sometimes imprecise or incorrect, such as stating textiles increased from 'around 15 billion' when the chart shows 26 billion in 2015.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The response shows some organisation with an introduction, an overview paragraph, and body paragraphs detailing specific categories. However, there is no clear overall progression due to the limited content and structural disjointedness. Cohesive devices are basic and sometimes repetitive, such as repeatedly using '...had a increase in their value' or starting sentences abruptly. Paragraphing is attempted, but the logical flow between ideas is occasionally hindered by inaccurate data reporting. To move to a higher band, the student needs to organise information more logically with smoother transitions between categories and a more robust overview.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
The vocabulary used is limited but minimally adequate for the task, featuring basic terms like 'value', 'category', 'increase', and 'decrease'. There are noticeable lexical errors, such as 'had a increase' instead of 'an increase', and a spelling error in 'vlaue' instead of 'value'. The student attempts some less common vocabulary items like 'downward trend', but overall word choice and range remain restricted. To improve, the student should expand their range of vocabulary to describe trends with greater precision and eliminate basic spelling and collocation errors.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The response employs a limited range of structures, relying mostly on simple sentences and basic active forms. Attempts at more complex sentences are often faulty or awkward, such as the comma splice in the introduction ('during 2015 and 2016 while, the table shows...'). There are frequent grammatical errors throughout the text, including article misuse ('had a increase') and tense inconsistencies ('in 2014 it was around 42 billion', whereas the chart clearly specifies 2015). These errors can cause some difficulty for the reader. To achieve a higher band, the student must demonstrate a wider mix of error-free complex structures and better control over basic grammar and punctuation.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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