Band 9.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 9.0 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-07-31

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

The bar chart below shows the top ten countries for the production and consumption of electricity in 2014.

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

Student answer (Band 9.0)

The bar chart compares the amounts of electricity produced and consumed by the world's ten leading countries in 2014, with figures given in billion kilowatt-hours (kWh).

Overall, China and the United States were by far the largest producers and consumers of electricity, while the other countries recorded considerably lower figures. In addition, electricity production was marginally higher than consumption in almost every country, with Germany being the sole exception.

China topped the ranking, generating 5,398 billion kWh of electricity and consuming 5,322 billion kWh. The United States followed in second place, producing 4,099 billion kWh and using 3,866 billion kWh. Despite the slight differences between production and consumption, both countries generated and consumed several times more electricity than any of the remaining nations.

Among the other countries, Russia ranked third, with electricity production and consumption standing at 1,057 and 1,038 billion kWh, respectively. Japan generated 936.2 billion kWh, compared with a consumption figure of 856.7 billion kWh, while India produced 871 billion kWh and used 698.8 billion kWh.

At the lower end of the ranking, Canada, France, Brazil, Germany and the Republic of Korea each produced less than 620 billion kWh of electricity. Canada, France, Brazil and South Korea all generated slightly more electricity than they consumed. In contrast, Germany was the only country where electricity consumption (582.5 billion kWh) exceeded production (526.6 billion kWh).

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 9.0

The response is excellent. You have fully addressed all parts of the task by identifying the main features and providing relevant comparisons. The overview clearly highlights the dominance of China and the US, as well as the general trend of production exceeding consumption. You have selected key data points to support your descriptions, such as the specific figures for the top two countries and the grouping of the remaining nations. The information is accurate and well-integrated, demonstrating a clear understanding of the data provided in the chart. No significant information is missing, and the response is well-balanced throughout.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 9.0

The response is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a distinct focus: the introduction, the overview, the top two countries, the middle-ranking countries, and the lower-ranking countries. Cohesive devices such as 'In addition', 'Despite', 'Among the other countries', and 'In contrast' are used effectively to link sentences and paragraphs. The referencing is precise, and the flow of information is smooth, making the report very easy to follow. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate different categories of data, which enhances the overall structure.

Lexical Resource — Band 9.0

You have used a wide range of vocabulary with precision and natural control. Phrases like 'topped the ranking', 'recorded considerably lower figures', and 'exceeded production' demonstrate a sophisticated command of language appropriate for an academic report. The use of numerical data is integrated seamlessly with descriptive language. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or collocation, and the vocabulary is varied enough to avoid repetition while maintaining clarity. The language is consistently formal and suitable for the task requirements.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 9.0

The response exhibits a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences with subordinate clauses and comparative structures. The accuracy is very high, with the majority of sentences being error-free. Punctuation is used correctly to manage lists and clauses, and there are no grammatical slips that impede communication. The control over tense and subject-verb agreement is consistent throughout the text. Your ability to combine simple and complex structures effectively contributes to the professional tone of the report.

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