Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-09-14
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 from five different product categories in 2015 and 2016, while the table shows the percentage change in the value of these exports over the same period.
Overall, petroleum products and engineered goods generated the highest export earnings in both years. In contrast, textiles had the lowest value in 2015 but experienced the largest percentage increase in 2016. Gems and jewellery was the only category to decline.
In 2015, petroleum products earned approximately $60 billion, followed by engineered goods at around $57 billion. These figures increased to about $62 billion and $61 billion, respectively, in 2016, representing rises of 3% and 8.5%. Export earnings from gems and jewellery, however, fell from roughly $43 billion to $40 billion, a decrease of 5.18%.
Agricultural products generated about $31 billion in 2015 and remained almost unchanged in 2016, despite a slight increase of 0.81%. Meanwhile, textiles recorded the most significant growth. Their export earnings rose from approximately $25 billion in 2015 to $31 billion in 2016, equivalent to a substantial increase of 15.24%.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.5 |
| Overall | 7.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5
The response fully and accurately addresses all parts of the prompt by effectively summarizing the data from both the bar chart and the table. The overview highlights key trends and comparative features, such as petroleum products and engineered goods generating the highest earnings, and textiles experiencing the largest percentage increase. Specific data points, such as petroleum earnings of approximately $60 billion in 2015 increasing to about $62 billion in 2016, are accurately reported and appropriately supported with the percentage changes provided in the source material. The student makes clear and relevant comparisons where appropriate, successfully fulfilling all requirements of Academic Task 1 at a high standard.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5
Information and ideas are logically sequenced with a clear overall progression throughout the text. The introduction clearly paraphrases the prompt, followed by a well-crafted overview paragraph. Body paragraphs are logically grouped, with one focusing on the highest and lowest earners and another breaking down the remaining categories and details effectively. Cohesive devices such as 'In contrast', 'respectively', and 'Meanwhile' are managed well and used naturally to guide the reader through the comparisons. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, contributing to a seamless reading experience.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.0
The student demonstrates a sufficient and flexible range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic report. Phrases such as 'export earnings', 'percentage increase', 'represent rises of', and 'substantive increase' are used accurately. Less common lexical items are employed with good control, such as 'generated', 'approximately', and 'equivalent to'. Word choice and collocations are generally precise, with only very occasional, minor inaccuracies that do not impede communication. Spelling and word formation are entirely correct throughout the response.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5
The writer uses a wide variety of complex structures with a high degree of accuracy. The majority of sentences are error-free, featuring effective use of subordinate clauses, participial phrases, and comparative structures (e.g., 'while the table shows the percentage change...', 'Agricultural products generated about $31 billion in 2015 and remained almost unchanged in 2016, despite a slight increase of 0.81%'). Control of grammar and punctuation is strong throughout, with only very occasional slips that do not interfere with the clarity of the message.
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