Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-09-25

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 illustrates the amount of electricity produced and consumed in ten countries in 2014, measured in billion kilowatt-hours (kWh).

Overall, China and the United States were by far the largest producers and consumers of electricity, while Korea had the lowest figures among the ten countries. In most countries, electricity production was higher than consumption, with Germany being the only exception.

China produced the largest amount of electricity, at 5,398 billion kWh, followed by the United States, which generated 4,099 billion kWh. Their consumption figures were slightly lower, at 5,322 billion kWh and 3,866 billion kWh, respectively. Russia ranked third, producing 1,057 billion kWh and consuming 1,038 billion kWh.

Japan and India produced 936.2 and 871 billion kWh, while their consumption was 856.7 and 698.8 billion kWh, respectively. Canada, France and Brazil generated between approximately 531 and 619 billion kWh, and all three consumed less electricity than they produced.

Germany produced 526.6 billion kWh, but its consumption was considerably higher, at 582.5 billion kWh. Finally, Korea produced 485.1 billion kWh and consumed 449.5 billion kWh, making it the country with the lowest production and consumption figures shown.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5

The student fully addresses all parts of the task by accurately reporting the main features of electricity production and consumption across the ten countries in 2014. The response includes a clear overview highlighting China and the United States as the dominant nations, Korea as the lowest, and Germany as the sole exception where consumption exceeded production. Key data points are well-selected and contrasted effectively, such as mentioning specific figures for China (5,398 billion kWh produced) and detailing the trends across the remaining nations. The data cited matches the prompt's factual reference precisely without any misreadings or fabricated figures, satisfying the Band 8 descriptor for covering all parts well with well-developed ideas.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.5

The response is logically organized with a clear overall progression. It begins with an introductory paragraph that outlines the chart and provides a coherent overview. The body paragraphs are logically grouped, moving smoothly from the top two nations (China and the US) down to the middle tiers and finally the lowest countries. Cohesive devices such as 'respectively', 'while', and 'however' are managed well to connect ideas and make appropriate comparisons. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, with each paragraph serving a distinct and clear function in presenting the data, aligning well with the Band 8 criteria.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

The student demonstrates a sufficient and appropriate range of vocabulary suitable for an academic task. Words and phrases such as 'illustrates', 'largest producers and consumers', 'generated', and 'exception' are used accurately. Less common lexical items and precise reporting verbs like 'produced', 'consumed', and 'ranked third' show an awareness of style and collocation. Spelling and word choice are entirely accurate throughout the text, allowing for smooth reading and clear communication. While the range is quite good, it stops just short of the wide, highly flexible range of uncommon items required for a Band 8, making a solid Band 7 appropriate.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.5

The response exhibits a good variety of complex structures alongside simple sentence forms. The student successfully incorporates participial phrases and subordinate clauses, such as in 'followed by the United States, which generated 4,099 billion kWh' and 'making it the country with the lowest production'. The majority of sentences are error-free, demonstrating strong control over grammar and punctuation. There are no noticeable grammatical slips or awkward phrasings that impede communication. This level of structural variety and accuracy comfortably satisfies the criteria for Band 8.

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.