Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-24
IELTS Writing Task 1 question
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 7.5)
The bar chart illustrates the export earnings of a country from five different categories in 2015 and 2016, while the accompanying information shows the percentage change in export values during this period.
Overall, petroleum products and engineered goods were the two largest export categories in both years. Most categories experienced growth in 2016, with textiles showing the greatest increase, whereas gems and jewellery was the only category to record a decline.
In 2015, petroleum products generated approximately $61 billion, making them the highest-earning export. This figure increased slightly to around $63 billion in 2016, representing a 3% rise. Engineered goods were the second-largest category, increasing from about $58 billion to $62 billion, an 8.5% increase.
In contrast, earnings from gems and jewellery fell from approximately $43 billion to $41 billion, a decline of 5.18%. Agricultural products remained relatively stable, rising marginally from around $31 billion to $32 billion, equivalent to just 0.81% growth. Finally, textiles recorded the most significant increase, with export earnings rising from approximately $26 billion to $30 billion, an impressive 15.24% rise.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.5 |
| Overall | 7.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5
The response effectively addresses all parts of the task. You have successfully identified the main features, such as the highest-earning categories and the trends in growth or decline. The inclusion of specific data points for both years and the percentage changes demonstrates a clear understanding of the provided information. The overview is concise and accurately captures the overall trends, which is a key requirement for a high band score. You have made relevant comparisons between categories, such as contrasting the growth in textiles with the decline in gems and jewellery, which adds depth to your analysis.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5
The response is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a distinct focus, moving from an introduction and overview to detailed body paragraphs. Cohesive devices such as 'In contrast', 'whereas', and 'finally' are used effectively to link sentences and ideas, ensuring the text flows smoothly. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the information is presented in a way that is easy for the reader to follow. There is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive use of linking words, and the structure supports the overall argument well.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.0
You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey information precisely. Terms such as 'generated', 'experienced growth', 'recorded a decline', and 'remained relatively stable' are used accurately and in the correct context. The vocabulary is natural and appropriate for an academic report. While the range is good, incorporating a few more sophisticated or less common collocations could elevate the score further. However, the current usage is precise, and there are no errors in word choice or spelling that impede communication.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5
The response demonstrates a good command of grammatical structures. You have successfully used a mix of simple and complex sentences, such as the use of participial phrases ('representing a 3% rise') and subordinate clauses ('whereas gems and jewellery was the only category to record a decline'). The grammar is highly accurate, with no noticeable errors in tense, subject-verb agreement, or punctuation. The sentences are well-constructed and contribute to the overall clarity and professional tone of the report.
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