Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-10-08
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 5.0)
This chart shows the value of one country's exports in various categories during 2015 and 2016. The export products includes petroleum, engineered goods, gems and jewellery, agricultural products and textiles.
In 2015, the percentage of petroleum products which are exported is about 61% and this ratio increased to 64% in 2016. Engineered goods are also included in the export products and its percentage in 2015 is about 56.5% and in 2016 this percentage goes to 64.5%. Gems and jewellery's export was dominated in 2015 with about 44% followed by 41% in 2016. Agricultural products had a very small percentage in export which was 31% in 2015 and 32% in 2016.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 3.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 3.5
The response identifies several relevant categories and reports approximate values for petroleum, engineered goods, gems and agricultural products. However, it does not provide a clear overview of the main features, omits textiles entirely, and describes the figures as percentages rather than export values in billions of dollars. Some figures are also inaccurate: for example, engineered goods were about $57 billion and $62 billion, not 56.5% and 64.5%. The response contains 101 words, below the required 150, and this limits how fully the task is addressed. To improve, add an overview comparing the highest and lowest categories and the main rises or fall, then report the key figures accurately and cover all five categories.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0
The ideas are presented in a generally understandable order: the opening names the categories, followed by details about four of them. Basic linking phrases such as “In 2015,” “also,” and “followed by” help connect information. However, the response has only one body paragraph and no concluding overview, so the reader does not get a clear progression from the main trends to supporting comparisons. The repeated sentence pattern—category followed by its 2015 and 2016 figures—also makes the account feel list-like. Grouping categories by trend, and using a separate overview paragraph before the details, would make the organisation clearer. Include textiles in the sequence so the comparison is complete.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
The response uses some task-related vocabulary, including “export products,” “increased,” and “followed by,” and the meaning is usually recoverable. However, several choices are imprecise for describing this chart. “Percentage” and “ratio” mislabel the chart’s dollar values, while “export was dominated” is an unnatural way to describe the gems category. “The export products includes” also shows an inaccurate word form, and “very small percentage in export” is awkward and unclear. Use precise terms such as “export earnings,” “value,” and “accounted for,” and vary the language used to compare changes. This would make the description more accurate and natural without requiring unusually advanced vocabulary.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5
The response communicates its basic meaning through mostly simple sentence patterns, with some attempts to combine information, as in “In 2015 … and this ratio increased to 64% in 2016.” There are, however, recurring errors in agreement and sentence construction. For example, “The export products includes” should use a plural verb, and “which are exported” does not fit smoothly with the singular subject “percentage.” The phrase “Gems and jewellery's export was dominated in 2015” is also structurally unclear. These errors do not prevent the reader from following the general account, but the limited range and uneven control keep the writing from being more accurate. Practise clear comparative sentences and check subject–verb agreement.
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.