Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-07-30

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 6.5)

The line graph illustrates the average carbon dioxide emission per person of four different countries, which are the United Kingdom, Sweden, Italy, and Portugal from 1967 to 2007.

In this graph, when we start from the highest average carbon dioxide emission in metric tonnes to the lowest then the first is the United Kingdom, second is Sweden, third is Italy, and the last one with the lowest carbon dioxide emission in metric tonnes is Portugal.

The graph shows the data from 1967 to 2007 of carbon dioxide emission in metric tonnes. The average carbon dioxide emissions in metric tonnes in Portugal rose from 0 to 5 approximately, Italy's average carbon dioxide emissions in metric tonnes also increased from 4 to 7 approximately, Sweden's average carbon dioxide emission in metric tonnes declined from 9 to 5 approximately, and the United Kingdom carbon dioxide emission in metric tonnes also decreased from 11 to 9 approximately.

In conclusion, United Kingdom seems to be highest, and Portugal seems to be lowest in term of carbon dioxide emission in metric tonnes at least for 40 years

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response covers the main features of the graph, including the trends for all four countries. However, the overview is weak; it merely lists the countries by their starting values rather than highlighting the significant trends or the overall shift in emissions over the 40-year period. The description of the data is somewhat repetitive, relying on a list-like structure. To reach a higher band, you should group the countries by their trends (e.g., those that increased versus those that decreased) and provide a more analytical summary of the overall changes, such as the convergence of emission levels by 2007.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response is organized into paragraphs, which is a positive step. However, the progression of ideas is mechanical. The use of cohesive devices is limited and repetitive, often relying on simple lists. For instance, the second paragraph is a long, clunky list of countries. The transition between the introduction and the body is abrupt. To improve, use a wider variety of linking words and phrases to connect your ideas more fluidly, and ensure that each paragraph has a clear focus, such as grouping countries with similar trends together rather than listing them individually.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks variety and precision. You frequently repeat phrases like 'average carbon dioxide emission in metric tonnes', which makes the writing feel monotonous. While the terminology is accurate, there is little attempt to use less common lexical items or sophisticated collocations. To improve, try to use synonyms or refer back to the data using pronouns or summary nouns (e.g., 'these figures', 'the aforementioned levels') to avoid unnecessary repetition. Expanding your range of reporting verbs and descriptive adjectives would also enhance your score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are some awkward phrasings, such as 'when we start from the highest... then the first is'. There are also minor punctuation and stylistic issues, such as the lack of a clear concluding sentence structure. The grammar is generally functional, but the range of structures is somewhat limited. To improve, focus on varying your sentence beginnings and using more complex grammatical structures, such as relative clauses or participle phrases, to describe the trends more concisely.

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