Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-10-07

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 earnings recieved through exports of different types of goods in the years 2015 and 2016.

It is evident that Petroleum products generate more revenue in both the years, while the Textiles industry gives least amount of earning.

In 2015, Petroluem industry produce just above 60 billion dollars by selling its' products to other countries. Engineered goods were the second most sold out products and generates around 57 billion dollars. The Gems and jewellery industry take part in the country's exports by adding around 42 billion dollars. The Agriculture and Textiles industries were the least beneficial industries by adding just 31 and 26 billion dollars in the economy.

In 2016, Petroluem products again generates more earnings than any other industry and there was 3% increase in it's export, accounted at $62 billion. The engineered goods saw an increase of 8.5% in it's earning stood at $61 billion. The Gems and jewellery in

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5

The response identifies two relevant overall features: petroleum products earn the most, while textiles are the smallest category in 2015. It also reports several 2015 figures and begins comparing 2016 values. However, the overview is incomplete and the report stops mid-sentence at “The Gems and jewellery in”, leaving the 2016 comparison unfinished. Important information is therefore omitted, including the decline in gems and jewellery and the strong rise in textiles, which became level with agricultural products in 2016. Some figures are also inaccurate: engineered goods are about $62 billion, not $61 billion, and petroleum is about $63 billion rather than $62 billion. A complete overview and accurate coverage of the main changes are needed.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, a brief overview, and separate paragraphs for 2015 and 2016. This gives the reader a basic route through the information, and time markers such as “In 2015” and “In 2016” help signal the comparisons. However, the progression is disrupted because the final paragraph ends abruptly, and the 2016 details are not organised into a complete comparison. Some links between ideas are also awkward, as in “The engineered goods saw an increase of 8.5% in it's earning stood at $61 billion.” Use complete sentences and connect each category’s value with its change clearly. A concise overview followed by grouped comparisons would make the report more coherent.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The response uses relevant task vocabulary, including “earnings,” “revenue,” “exports,” and “increase,” and the category names are generally clear. However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or unnatural, such as “least amount of earning,” “second most sold out products,” and “adding … in the economy.” Spelling errors in “recieved” and “Petroluem” also reduce accuracy, while repeated use of “industry” and “products” limits flexibility. Choose precise language for chart reporting—for example, say that a category “generated” a value or “accounted for” a share—and check spelling and collocations. This would make the description clearer and more appropriately formal.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

There is some variety in sentence forms, including a contrast clause in “while the Textiles industry gives least amount of earning” and time-led sentences beginning “In 2015” and “In 2016.” The main meaning is usually understandable, but errors in verb forms, agreement, articles, and possessives are noticeable. For example, “Petroluem industry produce” should use a past-tense verb, and “Engineered goods … generates” has a subject–verb agreement error. The phrase “there was 3% increase” needs an article, while “it's export” uses the contraction instead of the possessive “its.” The final sentence is also incomplete. Review these patterns and ensure every sentence is grammatically complete.

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