Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-03
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 compares India’s export earnings from five different product categories in 2015 and 2016, while the accompanying figures show the percentage change in export values over the same period.
Overall, export earnings increased in most categories, with textiles experiencing the most significant growth. In contrast, gems and jewellery was the only category to record a decline. Petroleum products and engineered goods remained the two highest-earning exports in both years.
In 2015, petroleum products generated approximately $61 billion, making them the leading export, followed by engineered goods at around $58 billion. In 2016, earnings from petroleum products rose slightly by 3%, while engineered goods increased substantially by 8.5%, reaching roughly $63 billion.
Exports of gems and jewellery stood at about $43 billion in 2015 but fell by 5.18% in the following year. Agricultural products showed very little change, increasing by just 0.81%, from approximately $41 billion to $42 billion.
The most notable growth occurred in textiles, whose export earnings climbed from around $37 billion to $42 billion, representing a substantial 15.24% increase. Thus, although textiles remained one of the lower-value export categories, they experienced the strongest percentage growth.
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 overall growth in most categories and the specific decline in gems and jewellery. The data is accurately reported, and you have made relevant comparisons between the two years. The overview is clear and provides a good summary of the trends. To reach a higher band, ensure that you consistently highlight the most significant differences or similarities rather than just listing data points. Your selection of information is logical and supports the main trends well, demonstrating a clear understanding of the requirements for an Academic Task 1 response.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5
The response is well-organized with a clear logical progression. Each paragraph has a distinct focus, moving from an overview to specific details about the categories. Cohesive devices such as 'In contrast', 'In 2015', and 'Thus' are used effectively to link ideas and guide the reader through the data. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the introduction, overview, and body paragraphs. The flow of information is smooth, and the referencing is clear throughout the text. There is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive use of cohesive devices, making the writing easy to follow.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.0
You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey information with precision. Phrases like 'significant growth', 'leading export', and 'substantial increase' demonstrate a good command of language appropriate for a data-reporting task. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or spelling that impede communication. While the vocabulary is accurate and functional, incorporating a few more sophisticated collocations or varied synonyms for 'increase' and 'decrease' could elevate the response further. Overall, the lexical range is more than adequate for the task.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5
The response displays a good variety of complex structures, such as the use of participial phrases ('making them the leading export') and subordinate clauses ('although textiles remained...'). The majority of sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation is excellent. The grammar is accurate, and the structures used are appropriate for the formal tone required in an IELTS report. There are no significant grammatical errors that cause confusion or difficulty for the reader. The sentence construction is varied and contributes to the overall readability of the report.
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