Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-10-27

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 line chart illustrates the value of export earnings of a country in various categories during 2015 and 2016. The table elaborates the percentage change in each category of exports in 2016 compared with 2015.

Overall, petroleum products and engineered goods had the highest values of earnings in both 2015 and 2016 but in table it has 3% changes. In contrast textiles have the lowest value in both 2015 and 2016 but in table it had the highest percentages values. Textiles and agricultural products have the same values in 2016. Similarly, petroleum and engineered goods have also almost same figures in 2016. Agricultural products had the lowest percentage change in values in both years.

Petroleum goods have 62$ billions in 2016 which is the peak value and has 61$ billions in 2015. Engineered products have 61$ billions export in 2016 while 59$ billions in 2015. Gems and jewellery had the 42$ billions in 2015 while in 2016 has low value. Agricultural has almost same values in 2016 and 2015.

Agricultural products has the lowest percenatge change 0.81% in [redacted phone]. Textiles have highest change in percentage 15.24%, gems and jewellery products have 5.18%, engineered goods have 8.5% change while petroleum products have 3% change in values.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the chart and table and give a general overview, noting that petroleum and engineered goods are the leading categories and that textiles show the largest percentage rise. However, several details are inaccurate or unclear: textiles are not the lowest category in 2016, since agricultural products and textiles are approximately equal at $31.5 billion; petroleum is about $63 billion, not $62 billion; and the chart places engineered goods at about $62 billion in 2016 and $57 billion in 2015, rather than $61 billion and $59 billion. The statement that agricultural products had the lowest percentage change “in both years” is also imprecise, as the table gives a change across 2015–2016. Select and compare the main figures more accurately to make the overview and supporting details clearer.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, and paragraphs giving figures and percentage changes. This helps the reader locate the main information. However, progression is uneven because the overview repeats details later and some comparisons are not clearly connected. For example, “Similarly, petroleum and engineered goods have also almost same figures in 2016” is not developed with accurate figures, while the final paragraph lists all percentage changes without explaining their significance. Linking phrases such as “In contrast” and “Similarly” are attempted, but some do not express the relationship precisely. Organise the body around the largest values and the notable changes, and use clearer references to distinguish chart values from percentage changes.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant task vocabulary, including “export earnings,” “percentage change,” “peak value,” and category names, so the topic is generally clear. However, the range is limited and some word choices or collocations sound unnatural or imprecise, such as “the table elaborates,” “highest percentages values,” and “have 62$ billions.” Repetition of “value,” “change,” and “products” also makes the description less flexible. There are spelling errors, including “percenatge,” and inconsistent naming such as “petroleum goods” for “petroleum products.” Aim for accurate, conventional chart language and vary verbs for movement, while keeping category labels consistent. These improvements would make comparisons more precise and easier to follow.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, including a contrast in “In contrast textiles have the lowest value…” and a relative comparison between the chart and table. However, errors are frequent enough to make some sentences awkward or unclear. Examples include “petroleum products and engineered goods … but in table it has 3% changes,” where agreement and sentence structure are faulty, and “Gems and jewellery had the 42$ billions in 2015 while in 2016 has low value,” which shifts tense and omits a clear subject. Articles, plurals, and comparison patterns also need attention, as in “Agricultural products has.” Practise complete, consistently past-tense sentences and check subject–verb agreement, articles, and punctuation before submitting.

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