Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-10-18

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 illustrates the value of one country's exports in particularly five categories, namely petroleum products,engineered goods, gems and jewellary, agriculture products and lastly textiles between 2015 to 2016. while the table shows the percentage change in each product values.

Regarding the chart layout, products name are written in horizontally while the export earnings in terms of billion dollars is written in vertically. Moreover, out of 5 products, only one product, gems and jewellary, showed 5.18 percent less earning from previous years. While other products income has increased from 2015.

Additionally, the petrolum products earning stood at 60 billion dollar which is highest in 2015. while, In 2016 petrolum and engineered goods stood at same value, which is slightly above of 60 billion. but the textiles was at their lowest level, approximately below the 30 bilion dollar and increased significantly about 15.24 percent, reached at equal to agriculture goods in 2016

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the chart’s five categories and correctly note that gems and jewellery was the only category to decline, while textiles had the largest percentage increase. However, the response only partially covers the data: it gives little comparison across the categories and omits several key figures, including the 2016 values for gems and agricultural products. Some details are inaccurate or unclear: petroleum was about $61 billion in 2015, not $60 billion exactly, and in 2016 petroleum remained slightly higher than engineered goods rather than being equal. The overview is also limited, and the response is 143 words, below the 150-word minimum. Add a concise overview and compare the main highs, lows and changes with accurate figures.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a basic structure, moving from an introduction to general trends and then to selected figures. Linking expressions such as “Moreover” and “Additionally” help signal progression. However, the organisation does not develop into a clear, complete summary: the paragraph about the chart layout (“products name are written in horizontally…”) uses space without reporting meaningful data, and the final paragraph ends abruptly without a concluding overview. Some links are awkward or repetitive, particularly the repeated use of “while” to connect separate points. Group the information more logically—for example, give an overview first, then compare the higher-earning categories and the lower-earning categories—and use references and transitions that make those relationships clear.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant task vocabulary, including “export earnings,” “percentage change,” “increased significantly” and “stood at,” so the reader can generally understand the topic. However, the range is limited and several word choices or spellings reduce precision: “jewellary,” “petrolum,” “bilion,” “agriculture products” and “product values” are inaccurate or unnatural. “Income” is also less precise than “export value” in this context, and “products name” is not a natural phrase. Aim for accurate category names and consistent data-reporting language, such as “agricultural products,” “export revenue” and “rose to.” Proofreading spelling and collocations would make the description clearer and more appropriately formal.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response attempts some longer structures, including “out of 5 products, only one product… showed…” and a comparison introduced by “while.” However, sentence control is uneven, and frequent errors affect clarity. Examples include “between 2015 to 2016” instead of a correct time construction, “products name are written,” and “the textiles was at their lowest level.” Several sentences begin with lowercase “while” after a full stop, and punctuation around clauses is inconsistent. There are also problems with articles, plurals and agreement, as in “60 billion dollar” and “other products income has increased.” Use shorter, complete sentences where needed, check subject–verb agreement and articles, and punctuate each comparison clearly.

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