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 the export earnings, in US$ billions, from five different product categories in 2015 and 2016.
Overall, petroleum products were the largest export category in both years. While most categories saw an increase in export value from 2015 to 2016, gems and jewellery was the only category to experience a decline.
In 2015, petroleum products generated the highest revenue at just over $65 billion. This figure rose slightly to around $67 billion in 2016, maintaining its top position. Engineering goods were the second largest category. Exports in this sector increased from approximately $60 billion in 2015 to about $65 billion in 2016.
Gems and jewellery ranked third in 2015 with earnings of around $55 billion. However, unlike the other categories, it was the only one to decrease, falling to roughly $52 billion in 2016.
Agricultural products showed modest growth. Revenue from this sector went up from about $42 billion to $44 billion over the one-year period. The most significant percentage increase was seen in textiles. Although it was the lowest earning category in both years, textile exports rose notably from just under $38 billion in 2015 to approximately $43 billion in 2016.
In summary, the chart shows that petroleum and engineering goods dominated exports in both years, while textiles experienced the fastest growth and gems and jewellery was the only sector to decline.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.5 |
| 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 provided a clear overview of the main trends and successfully selected key data points to support your summary. The comparison between 2015 and 2016 is handled well, and you correctly identified the outlier (gems and jewellery) and the fastest-growing category (textiles). The information is accurate and well-supported by the figures provided in the prompt. The structure is logical, and the inclusion of specific data points ensures that the main features are clearly highlighted for the reader.
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 overview to specific category details. Cohesive devices such as 'While', 'However', 'Although', and 'In summary' are used effectively to link sentences and paragraphs. The referencing is clear, and the flow of information is smooth throughout the text. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion, which helps the reader follow the analysis without difficulty.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.5
You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey information with precision. Phrases such as 'generated the highest revenue', 'modest growth', and 'dominated exports' are used appropriately. There is a good awareness of style, and the terminology is accurate for an academic report. While the vocabulary is functional and clear, incorporating a few more sophisticated or less common lexical items related to economic trends could elevate the response further. Overall, the word choice is natural and supports the clarity of the report.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5
The response displays a good variety of complex structures, such as the use of subordinate clauses ('While most categories saw...', 'Although it was the lowest...'). The majority of sentences are error-free, and your control over grammar and punctuation is strong. There are no significant errors that impede communication. The sentence structures are varied, which contributes to the overall readability of the report. You have maintained a consistent and appropriate tone throughout the writing.
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.