Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · IELTS Momentum Workout · 2026-09-30

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

The pie charts below show exports from various EU countries to India and China in 2000 and 2011.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

EU Exports of Goods to India and China in 2000 and 2011

Student answer (Band 8.5)

The four pie charts compare the proportions of goods exported by EU countries to India and China in 2000 and 2011.

Overall, Germany and the United Kingdom were the two largest exporters to India in 2000, while Germany was by far the biggest exporter to China in both years. By 2011, Germany's share of exports to both countries had increased, whereas the UK's share had declined. The proportions represented by several smaller exporters also changed noticeably.

In 2000, the UK was the largest exporter to India, accounting for 29%, followed by Belgium at 25% and Germany at 15%. France and Italy contributed 8% and 7%, respectively, while the Netherlands accounted for 4%. Spain, Sweden and Finland each represented only 2%, and Austria made up just 1%. By 2011, Germany had become the largest exporter to India, rising to 25%, while Belgium's share fell slightly to 20% and the UK's dropped substantially to 13%. France and Italy both increased to 9%, and the Netherlands rose slightly to 5%.

The pattern for China was different. Germany already dominated EU exports in 2000, accounting for 38%, and its share increased considerably to 48% in 2011. France was the second-largest exporter in 2000 at 13%, although this fell to 10% in 2011. Italy's share decreased slightly from 9% to 8%, while the UK's fell from 9% to 7%. In contrast, Belgium's proportion remained 5%, the Netherlands increased from 4% to 5%, and the shares of Sweden and Spain both stood at 3% in 2011.

In summary, Germany strengthened its position as an EU exporter to both India and China between 2000 and 2011, while the UK's contribution declined substantially, particularly in exports to India.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 8.5

The student has fully addressed all parts of the task by accurately reporting the main features, making relevant comparisons between the two years (2000 and 2011), and contrasting exports to India and China. The overview effectively highlights the key trends, such as Germany's dominance and the UK's decline. Data points are cited accurately throughout the body paragraphs, matching the visual source material precisely (e.g., noting Germany's rise to 48% for China and the UK dropping to 13% for India). All figures are well-integrated to support the comparative analysis without unnecessary listing of every single minor percentage, demonstrating a high level of task fulfillment.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 8.5

The response is exceptionally well-organized and logically sequenced. It follows a clear structure consisting of an introduction, a comprehensive overview, two detailed body paragraphs dedicated to the respective countries, and a succinct concluding summary. Cohesive devices such as 'while', 'whereas', 'in contrast', and 'by 2011' are used naturally and flexibly to guide the reader through the data. Paragraphing is fully appropriate, with each paragraph serving a distinct function in developing the overall comparison.

Lexical Resource: Band 8.0

The student demonstrates a wide and flexible lexical resource appropriate for an academic task 1 report. Vocabulary is varied and precise, utilizing strong reporting verbs and adjectives such as 'proportions', 'substantially', 'dominated', and 'strengthened'. Collocations are natural and accurate throughout ('accounting for', 'rose slightly', 'share of exports'). There are no noticeable spelling or word-choice errors, allowing the response to read fluently and with a high degree of sophistication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 8.5

The response exhibits a wide range of complex sentence structures used with full flexibility and accuracy. The writer successfully employs subordinate clauses, participial phrases, and comparative structures without any awkward phrasing. Grammatical control is exceptionally strong, with error-free sentences dominating the text. Punctuation is used accurately to control pacing and clarity, reflecting an advanced command of English grammar.

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