Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-11-14

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 line graph illustrates the average amount of carbon dioxide emissions(per person) in four different countries between 1967 and 2007.

Overall, it is clear that Italy and Portugal experienced a continuous growth while, United kingdom and Sweden experienced a downward trend but the figure of Sweden is increased initially then it decreased continuously.

Firstly, in 1967 the average amount of carbon dioxide emissions(per person) in UK stood at 11 tonnes and then the figure for UK gradually decreased to about 9 tonnes. But, in Sweden stood at 9 tonnes in 1967, then it rose to 10.5 tonnes in 1977 and in 2007, it is dropped to its lowest point around 5.5 tonnes.

On the other hand, Italy's emission starts from approximately 4.2 tonnes after that, it increased continuously and in 1987, the level is same as of Sweden. Moreover, in the end of the period the figure remained same from 1997 to 2007 about 7.6 tonnes. Furthermore, in Portugal emission starts from 1.4 tonnes in 1967, and then it increased continuously, finishing at almost the same level as Sweden.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You identify the main overall contrast: emissions rose in Italy and Portugal, while the UK and Sweden ended lower than they began. You also report several useful figures, including the UK’s decline from about 11 to 9 tonnes and Italy’s plateau at roughly 7.6 tonnes. This gives the response a clear, relevant account of the graph. However, the overview is not fully precise: the UK declined gradually, whereas Sweden rose first and then fell sharply, so grouping both simply as downward trends needs qualification. Some comparisons are also underdeveloped; for example, Portugal finishes level with Sweden, but this is not stated explicitly, and Italy’s relationship to Sweden in 1987 is described vaguely. More selective, exact comparisons would strengthen the summary.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a clear overall structure, moving from an introduction and overview to details about the two higher-emission countries and then Italy and Portugal. Sequencing words such as “Overall,” “Firstly,” and “On the other hand” help signal the stages of the report. The information is generally easy to follow, and the final comparison that Portugal ends near Sweden is relevant. However, some linking is mechanical or imprecise: “But” begins a sentence where the contrast is not clearly established, and “Moreover” and “Furthermore” are used repeatedly to add details without always clarifying their relationship. The paragraphing also separates the countries rather than consistently grouping comparable trends. Use fewer, more purposeful connectors and make comparisons explicit within the relevant sentences.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of task-related vocabulary, including “average amount,” “gradually decreased,” “increased continuously,” “stood at,” and “lowest point.” These expressions allow you to describe movement and levels, and the meaning remains clear. There are, however, some inaccurate or awkward choices and collocations. “The figure of Sweden is increased” is not a natural way to describe a trend, while “the level is same as of Sweden” is unclear. Repeating “figure,” “amount,” and “increased” also limits precision. Choose standard graph language such as “emissions,” “rose,” “fell,” “levelled off,” and “was comparable to,” and use “emissions” rather than repeatedly referring to an “amount” of emissions.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and longer sentences, including clauses joined with “while,” “then,” and “after that,” and the main trends can generally be understood. Some sentence patterns are controlled, such as “the figure remained same from 1997 to 2007,” though this example also needs an article. Errors in verb forms and sentence construction remain noticeable: “the figure of Sweden is increased” should use a past-tense form, and “But, in Sweden stood at 9 tonnes” is an incomplete clause. There are also missing articles and inconsistent tense choices, as in “Italy's emission starts” and “in the end of the period.” Improve control by using past simple consistently for the historical data and checking that each sentence has a complete subject and verb.

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