Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-30
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 value of a country's exports across five different product categories in 2015 and 2016, while the table shows the percentage change in export values over the same period.
Overall, petroleum products and engineered goods generated the highest export earnings in both years, whereas textiles had the lowest figures. Most categories experienced an increase in export value, with textiles recording the largest growth. The only category to decline was gems and jewellery.
In 2015, petroleum products were the country's biggest export, earning approximately $61 billion, followed by engineered goods at around $58 billion. By 2016, these figures had risen to about $63 billion and $62 billion, representing increases of 3% and 8.5%, respectively. Gems and jewellery generated approximately $43 billion in 2015, but this fell to around $41 billion the following year, a decrease of 5.18%.
The remaining two categories had considerably lower export values. Agricultural products brought in roughly $31 billion in 2015 and remained almost unchanged in 2016, increasing by just 0.81%. Textiles, on the other hand, showed the most substantial growth. Their export value rose from approximately $25 billion to $30 billion, equivalent to a 15.24% increase. Despite this significant rise, textiles still remained the smallest export category in 2016.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 8.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 8.0 |
| Overall | 7.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5
The student provides a clear, well-structured overview and effectively selects, reports, and compares the main features of the visual data. Key highlights, such as petroleum products and engineered goods generating the highest earnings, textiles experiencing the largest growth (15.24%), and gems and jewellery being the only category to decline (5.18%), are accurately reported. Data points are appropriately cited throughout the response, such as 'petroleum products were the country's biggest export, earning approximately $61 billion' in 2015 and rising to '$63 billion' in 2016. The data is accurately interpreted, meeting all the requirements of Task 1 comprehensively and with clear support.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 8.0
The response is logically organized with a clear overall progression. The introduction accurately paraphrases the prompt, followed by a succinct overview paragraph that highlights the primary trends. Body paragraphs are logically grouped by category dynamics (highest earners first, followed by declines and smaller categories). Cohesive devices are used naturally and effectively, as seen in phrases like 'while the table shows', 'By 2016', and 'Textiles, on the other hand'. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, ensuring the information flows smoothly without mechanical transitions.
Lexical Resource: Band 7.0
The student demonstrates a wide and flexible lexical range suitable for an Academic Task 1 response. Less common vocabulary and precise reporting language are used effectively, such as 'generated the highest export earnings', 'experiencing an increase', and 'substantive growth'. Word choice and collocations are generally accurate, and phrases like 'representing increases of 3% and 8.5%, respectively' show good command. Only occasional, minor vocabulary limitations or rounding approximations appear, but these do not impede communication or precision.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 8.0
The text displays a wide variety of complex sentence structures used with a high degree of accuracy. The majority of sentences are error-free, and control of grammar and punctuation is strong throughout. Examples of successful complex structures include concessive or contrasting clauses such as 'while the table shows the percentage change' and 'Despite this significant rise, textiles still remained the smallest export category in 2016.' Errors are virtually non-existent, showcasing excellent grammatical control suitable for a high band score.
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