Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-08-20

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 7.5)

The bar chart compares the production and consumption of electricity in 2014 in the ten countries with the highest levels of electricity generation, measured in billion kilowatt-hours.

Overall, China and the United States were by far the largest producers and consumers of electricity. China ranked first, while the United States ranked second. In most countries, electricity production was higher than consumption, with Germany being the only notable exception.

China produced approximately 5,398 billion kWh of electricity and consumed 5,322 billion kWh. The corresponding figures for the United States were considerably lower, at 4,099 and 3,866 billion kWh respectively. Russia ranked third, generating 1,057 billion kWh and consuming 1,038 billion kWh.

Among the remaining countries, Japan produced 936.2 billion kWh and consumed 856.7 billion kWh, while India generated 871 billion kWh and used 698.8 billion kWh. Canada, France and Brazil produced 618.9, 561.2 and 530.7 billion kWh respectively, with consumption figures of 499.9, 462.9 and 455.8 billion kWh.

Finally, Germany generated 526.6 billion kWh but consumed slightly more, at 582.5 billion kWh. South Korea had the lowest figures, producing 485.1 billion kWh and consuming 449.5 billion kWh.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response effectively addresses all parts of the task. You have clearly identified the main features, such as the dominance of China and the United States, and made relevant comparisons between production and consumption across the ten countries. The overview is concise and highlights the key trend regarding the production-consumption gap, specifically noting Germany as the exception. Data is used accurately to support the points made, and the selection of information is logical and well-structured. To reach a higher band, you could further synthesize the data by grouping countries with similar trends rather than listing them sequentially, which would demonstrate a more sophisticated analytical approach.

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 the overview to the top producers and then to the remaining countries. Cohesive devices such as 'while', 'respectively', and 'among the remaining countries' are used effectively to link information. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the flow of information is smooth throughout the text. The use of referencing is clear, and the overall structure allows the reader to follow the comparison of data points without difficulty. The response is well-managed and coherent.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey information with precision. Terms like 'generation', 'consumption', 'notable exception', and 'corresponding figures' are used accurately in the context of the task. The vocabulary is natural and appropriate for an academic report. While the range is adequate, incorporating a few more sophisticated synonyms or collocations related to data trends (e.g., 'surpassed', 'marginal difference', 'outstripped') would elevate the lexical profile further. There are no spelling errors, and the word choice is consistently clear and effective throughout the response.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The response displays a good variety of complex structures, such as the use of participial phrases ('generating 1,057 billion kWh and consuming...') and comparative clauses. The majority of sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation is excellent. The use of 'respectively' is handled correctly, which is a common area of difficulty for many candidates. The grammatical accuracy is high, and the structures used are appropriate for the task. There are no significant errors that impede communication, and the writing is consistently clear and grammatically sound.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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