Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-09-25

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 illustrates the export earnings from five categories of goods in 2015 and 2016, measured in billions of dollars.

Overall, petroleum products generated the highest export earnings in both years, while textiles had the lowest figures in 2015. Most categories experienced an increase in export revenue in 2016, with the exception of gems and jewellery. Agricultural products remained almost unchanged.

In 2015, petroleum products earned approximately $61 billion, making them the largest source of export revenue. This figure rose slightly to around $63 billion in 2016. Similarly, earnings from engineered goods increased considerably, from about $57 billion to $62 billion. As a result, the gap between petroleum products and engineered goods became very small in 2016.

By contrast, gems and jewellery generated approximately $43 billion in 2015, but this figure declined slightly to around $41 billion the following year. Agricultural products showed virtually no change, with earnings remaining at about $31 billion in both years. Finally, textile exports increased significantly, rising from approximately $26 billion in 2015 to $31 billion in 2016.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5

The student covers all parts of the task well, providing a clear summary of the main features and making relevant comparisons. The overview accurately highlights the highest and lowest categories, as well as the general upward trend with the exception of gems and jewellery. Specific data from both years is appropriately cited, such as petroleum products starting at around $61 billion and rising to $63 billion, and textiles increasing from $26 billion to $31 billion. The figures are accurately extracted from the chart and table, and the comparisons between categories, such as the gap between petroleum and engineered goods becoming very small in 2016, are well articulated. The response meets all requirements for a Band 7.5 to 8.0 task achievement.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 8.0

The response is logically organized with a clear overall progression. It begins with an introductory sentence, followed by a well-formulated overview paragraph, and then detailed body paragraphs that group information logically by categories and trends. Cohesive devices such as 'Overall', 'while', 'with the exception of', 'Similarly', 'As a result', 'By contrast', and 'Finally' are used effectively to guide the reader through the data without being obtrusive. Paragraphing is used appropriately and supports the structure of the report. Referencing is clear throughout.

Lexical Resource: Band 7.5

The student demonstrates a sufficient and flexible range of vocabulary suited to a Task 1 report. Phrases such as 'export earnings', 'generated the highest export earnings', 'experienced an increase', 'rose slightly', 'remained almost unchanged', and 'declined slightly' show good control over topic-specific and functional language. Less common lexical items and collocations are used effectively, such as 'virtually no change' and 'increased significantly'. There are no noticeable spelling or word-choice errors, allowing the message to be communicated with precision.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 8.0

The response exhibits a wide variety of grammatical structures. The student successfully integrates complex sentences containing subordinate clauses (e.g., 'while textiles had the lowest figures in 2015', 'making them the largest source of export revenue', 'with earnings remaining at about $31 billion in both years'). The majority of sentences are completely error-free, and control over tense usage (past simple for data points) and punctuation is excellent. Grammar does not impede communication at any point, reflecting a high level of accuracy.

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