Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-08-14

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 7.5)

The bar chart illustrates the export earnings of a country across five different product categories for the years 2015 and 2016, while the table provides the percentage change in the value of these exports.

Overall, except for gems and jewelry, there was an increase in export earnings for all product categories in 2016 compared to 2015. Engineered goods and petroleum products represented the highest export values in both years, while textiles experienced the most significant percentage growth.

At a fleeting glance, in terms of export values, engineered goods and petroleum products were the top contributors in 2015 and 2016, each earning between $55 billion and $65 billion. Specifically, the export value of engineered goods rose from around $58 billion in 2015 to approximately $62 billion in 2016, marking an 8.5% increase. Petroleum products, despite being the highest in value, exhibited a more modest growth, increasing by 3% from about $60.5 billion in 2015 to nearly $63 billion in 2016.

Moving further, Agriculture products saw minimal growth, with an export value of approximately $31 billion in both years, amounting to a 0.81% increase. Textiles, despite being the smallest category in terms of export value, experienced the most substantial growth, rising by 15.24% from $25 billion in 2015 to $31 billion in 2016. However, gems and jewelry was the only category to decline, starting with $42 billion in 2015 and decreasing by 5.18% in 2016 to approximately $40.5 billion.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response effectively addresses all parts of the task. You have provided a clear overview of the main trends and successfully integrated data from both the chart and the table. The selection of key features, such as identifying the highest contributors and the category with the most significant growth, is accurate and well-supported by the provided figures. You have made relevant comparisons between categories and years, which demonstrates a good understanding of the data. The information is presented in a logical manner, and the summary is comprehensive without being overly detailed, meeting the requirements for a high-band response.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The response is well-organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a distinct focus, starting with an introduction, followed by an overview, and then detailed body paragraphs. The use of cohesive devices such as 'while', 'specifically', 'moving further', and 'however' is effective and helps guide the reader through the data. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the overview from the specific data analysis. The flow of information is logical, and the relationship between the different categories is clearly established throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic report. Phrases such as 'export earnings', 'top contributors', 'modest growth', and 'substantial growth' are used accurately. There is a clear attempt to use less common vocabulary to describe trends, which adds precision to your writing. The terminology related to the data (e.g., 'percentage growth', 'export values') is handled correctly. The language is natural and precise, and there are no significant errors in word choice or collocation that would impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The response exhibits a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences that are generally error-free. You have used a variety of sentence forms, such as participial phrases ('marking an 8.5% increase') and subordinate clauses, which demonstrates good control. Punctuation is used correctly to manage the flow of information. While there are occasional minor slips, the majority of sentences are accurate, and the grammatical control is strong throughout the piece. The complexity of the structures used is appropriate for an IELTS Academic Task 1 response.

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