Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-08-12
IELTS Writing Task 1 question
The chart 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 8.0)
The bar chart and table provide an overview of a country's export earnings across five distinct product categories during 2015 and 2016, alongside the percentage fluctuations over this one-year period.
Overall, export revenues increased in four out of the five categories, with textiles showing the most significant percentage growth. Petroleum products and engineered goods remained the country's dominant export sectors in both years, while gems and jewellery stood out as the only category to experience a decline in value.
In detail, petroleum products generated the highest revenue, growing by 3% from approximately $61 billion in 2015 to $63 billion in 2016. Engineered goods followed closely, experiencing a more substantial rise of 8.5%, with values increasing from roughly $58 billion to about $62 billion by the end of the period.
Conversely, the market for gems and jewellery contracted, with export earnings dropping by 5.18% from around $43 billion to $41 billion. Agricultural products remained nearly stable, experiencing a minimal uptick of 0.18% to hold just above $30 billion in both years. Lastly, textiles witnessed the most dramatic proportional surge of 15.24%, climbing from $26 billion in 2015 to match agricultural goods at over $31 billion in 2016.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 8.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 8.0 |
| Overall | 8.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0
The response fully addresses all parts of the task. You have provided a clear overview of the data, identified the main trends, and made relevant comparisons between the categories. The selection of data is accurate, and the inclusion of specific figures (e.g., '$61 billion', '15.24%') effectively supports the summary. The structure is logical, moving from a general overview to specific details, which satisfies the requirements for a high band score in Task Achievement.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5
The response is well-organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a distinct focus, and the use of cohesive devices such as 'Conversely', 'In detail', and 'Lastly' helps guide the reader through the information smoothly. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the overview from the detailed analysis. The flow of information is logical and easy to follow throughout the text.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.5
You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic report. Phrases like 'export earnings', 'proportional surge', and 'contracted' are used accurately and effectively. The vocabulary is precise and contributes to the professional tone of the writing. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or collocation, and the range is sufficient to convey the information with clarity and precision.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0
The writing exhibits a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences and accurate use of comparative forms. Punctuation is used correctly, and the majority of sentences are error-free. The control over tense and subject-verb agreement is consistent throughout the response. The grammatical accuracy is high, and the structures used are sophisticated enough to support the clear communication of data.
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