Band 9.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 9.0 · 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 9.0)

The line graph compares the average amount of carbon dioxide [CO2] emissions per person in the United Kingdom, Sweden, Italy and Portugal between 1967 and 2007.

Overall, The United Kingdom recoded the highest per capita CO2 emissions throughout the period, although its figure declined steadily. Sweden also experienced a significant decrease after reaching a peak in the late 1970s. By contrast, Italy and Portugal showed continuous growth in emissions, with Italy eventually becoming the second-highest emitter.

In 1967, the UK produced approximately 11 metric tonnes of CO₂ per person, compared with around 9 tonnes in Sweden. The figures for Italy and Portugal were much lower, at about 4 and 1 tonne respectively. Over the following four decades, the UK's emissions gradually fell to roughly 9 tonnes by 2007.

Sweden's emissions increased to just over 10 tonnes in 1977 before declining sharply to around 5.5 tonnes at the end of the period. In contrast, Italy's emissions rose steadily throughout the years, reaching almost 8 tonnes per person by 2007 and overtaking Sweden during the 1990s.

Portugal experienced the fastest relative growth. Its per-capita emissions climbed consistently from about 1 tonne in 1967 to approximately 5.5 tonnes in 2007. By the end of the period, Portugal's emissions were almost equal to Sweden's, while the gap between the four countries had narrowed considerably.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 9.0

The response is excellent. It fully addresses all parts of the task by identifying the main trends and making relevant comparisons between the four countries. The overview is clear and highlights the key differences, such as the downward trend in the UK and Sweden versus the upward trajectory in Italy and Portugal. Data is used effectively to support the description, and the selection of information is logical and well-balanced. The response covers the entire period from 1967 to 2007 accurately.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 9.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, a concise overview, and two well-structured body paragraphs. Cohesive devices such as 'By contrast', 'In 1967', 'Over the following four decades', and 'In contrast' are used effectively to guide the reader through the data. Paragraphing is used appropriately, and the progression of ideas is smooth and easy to follow throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 9.0

The vocabulary is precise and well-suited to an academic report. The student uses a range of topic-specific language such as 'per capita', 'metric tonnes', 'emissions', and 'relative growth'. There is a good variety of verbs and adverbs to describe trends, such as 'declined steadily', 'increased', 'declining sharply', and 'climbed consistently'. The word choice is natural and demonstrates a high level of control.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 9.0

The response displays a wide range of grammatical structures with high accuracy. The student effectively uses complex sentences, such as 'Sweden's emissions increased to just over 10 tonnes in 1977 before declining sharply...', and maintains consistent control over tense usage. Punctuation is accurate, and there are no significant errors that impede communication. The writing is fluent and professional.

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