Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-09-05

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 compares the export earnings of a country in five different categories in 2015 and 2016, while the table shows the percentage change in the value of exports during this period.

Overall, petroleum products were the highest-earning export in both years. Most categories experienced an increase in export value, while gems and jewellery was the only category that declined. Textiles showed the largest percentage increase.

In 2015, petroleum products earned about $60 billion, making them the biggest export category. This figure rose to around $62 billion in 2016, an increase of 3%. Similarly, engineered goods increased from approximately $58 billion to $61 billion, representing an 8.5% rise.

The value of gems and jewellery was about $43 billion in 2015, but it fell to around $40 billion in 2016. This was a decrease of 5.18%. Agricultural products, on the other hand, showed very little change, rising from about $30 billion to just over $30 billion, or 0.81%.

Finally, textiles had the lowest export value in 2015, at around $25 billion. However, their value increased to more than $30 billion in 2016. This was the largest growth among all categories, at 15.24%.

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 bar chart and the table. The selection of key features, such as identifying petroleum as the highest earner and textiles as the category with the largest growth, is accurate. You have made relevant comparisons between the two years and across categories. The data is presented clearly, and the inclusion of specific figures supports your points well. To reach a higher band, ensure that you consistently highlight the most significant contrasts or patterns rather than just listing data points for each category.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs that group information effectively. The progression of ideas is smooth, moving from general trends to specific category details. You have used cohesive devices such as 'Similarly', 'on the other hand', and 'Finally' to link sentences and paragraphs appropriately. The paragraphing is logical and contributes to the overall clarity of the report. The use of referencing is accurate, and the flow of information is easy to follow throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey information precisely, such as 'export earnings', 'declined', and 'growth'. The terminology is appropriate for an academic report. While the vocabulary is accurate and functional, it is generally standard. To achieve a higher band, you could incorporate more sophisticated collocations or less common lexical items to describe trends, such as 'marginal increase' or 'substantial contraction'. However, the current range is more than adequate for the task, and there are no errors in word choice or spelling that impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The response demonstrates good control over a variety of sentence structures. You have successfully used complex sentences, such as 'The bar chart compares... while the table shows...', and maintained accuracy throughout. Punctuation is used correctly, and there are no significant grammatical errors. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the control over tense and subject-verb agreement is consistent. The writing is clear and professional, showing a high level of grammatical competence that supports the overall readability of the report.

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.