Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-11-10

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

The graph below shows average carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions per person in the United Kingdom, Sweden, Italy and Portugal between 1967 and 2007.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

Student answer (Band 6.0)

The given graph shows the carbon dioxide emissions per person from [redacted phone] of four countried and indicates the highest and lowest emission of United kingdom, Sweden, Italy and Portugal. As we can tell United Kingdom had consistently decereased it's carbon emission by each year, in 1967 it was at it's highst between 10-12 metric tonnes and from then to 2007 it has decreased the emmission by almost 4 metric tonnes to 8-10 metric tonnes. It may not be a huge improvement but since 1967 it has not increased exponentially as well. Sweden however has lived up to its status of being a environment friendly country. Though initally fro 1967 to 1977 it had shown a huge surge from 8-10 metric tonnes to 10-12 metric tonnes, it cant be denied that it has reduced significantly in the following years. From [redacted phone], in 30 years Sweden has reduced its carbon emission by almost 6 metric tonnes. However, the scenerio for Italy and Portugal is not so hopeful. Italy has seen a gradual increase in carbon emission from 1967 to 2007 by almost 4 metric tonnes. In 1967 it was 4-6 metric tonnes and by 1997 it has increased to 6-8 metric tonnes, however, since then it has remained steadily at the same amount which is not also an entirely good news. For Portugal though, the scenerio is the most disheartenning. In 1967 the country was responsible for only 0-2 metric tonnes of carbon emission, however, it kept increasing drastically and in 2007 it reached 4-6 metric tonnes though it is far less than UK, the increase raises a concern towards it's environemntal degradation. So, we can safely conclude that whether the emission increased or decreased the amount of carbon emitted by UK still is way higher than the other three countries leaving room for crucial and immediate actions and improvement in its regulation and policies for a better future.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

You cover all four countries and identify the main contrasts: UK emissions decline, Sweden rises before falling, and Italy and Portugal increase. The closing comparison that the UK remains highest is also supported by the figures. Your account includes relevant approximate values and the broad trends are generally accurate. However, some descriptions are imprecise: the UK falls by about two tonnes, not almost four, and Sweden’s reduction from its 1977 peak is about five tonnes, rather than almost six. The claim that Portugal increased “drastically” is also stronger than the steady rise shown. The evaluative comments about environmental responsibility and policy go beyond what the graph establishes. A more neutral overview and more precise comparisons would strengthen an otherwise well-covered response.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response follows a generally understandable sequence, moving from the UK and Sweden to Italy and Portugal, then ending with a comparison. Linking words such as “however,” “though” and “so” help show contrast and consequence. However, the whole report is presented as one long paragraph, so the overview and country details are not clearly separated. Some transitions feel mechanical, and repeated “however” constructions make the progression less smooth. The final sentence shifts from describing data to recommending policy, which weakens the focus of the conclusion. Use a short introduction and overview, followed by two clearly grouped detail paragraphs, and make each transition express a precise relationship between trends.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use a reasonable range of topic vocabulary, including “emissions,” “metric tonnes,” “gradual increase” and “remained steadily,” so the main information is usually clear. There are also attempts at more expressive language, such as “surge” and “environmental degradation,” but some choices are too evaluative or do not fit the graph-reporting style. “Drastically” overstates Portugal’s steady rise, while “lived up to its status” introduces an unsupported judgement. Spelling errors such as “countried,” “scenerio” and “disheartenning” also reduce accuracy. Aim for neutral, precise terms for trends and check spelling carefully; this will make your vocabulary more appropriate and controlled.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and complex sentences, including clauses introduced by “though” and “however,” and the overall meaning remains understandable. Some grammatical errors nevertheless recur. For example, “United Kingdom had consistently decreased” needs an article and a more suitable description of the data; “it has decreased the emission” has an unclear subject construction; and “by 1997 it has increased” uses an inconsistent tense for a past period. There are also errors in possessives and agreement, as in “it's highst” and “the amount … is not also an entirely good news.” Long sentences joined by several clauses make these problems harder to control. Use past simple consistently for the period and divide complex statements into shorter, accurately punctuated sentences.

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