Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-08-03

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 5.0)

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

Overview, it is clear that the United Kingdom had the highest CO2 emissions per person during the period from 1967 to 2007.

Body 1

It started with the United Kingdom at 11 tonnes, while Sweden recorded approximately 9 tonnes in 1967. After that, Portugal was around 1 tonne.

Body 2

CO2 emissions in Sweden were about 9 tonnes, while the United Kingdom was about 11 tonnes in 1967. The United Kingdom had the highest emissions at around 11 tonnes.

Italy and Portugal recorded the lowest figures. Italy was about 4 tonnes, whereas Portugal was approximately 1 tonne.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.0

The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which significantly impacts the score. While you have identified some key features, such as the UK having the highest emissions and the relative positions of Italy and Portugal, the analysis is incomplete. You have not described the trends over the 40-year period (e.g., the decline in UK and Swedish emissions or the rise in Italy and Portugal). The report is fragmented, lacks a clear summary of the overall trends, and fails to provide a comprehensive comparison of the data points across the full timeframe. To improve, you must ensure all parts of the prompt are addressed and provide a more detailed analysis of the data.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The essay lacks a logical structure. While you have attempted to use headings like 'Body 1' and 'Body 2', these are not appropriate for an IELTS essay and disrupt the flow. The progression of ideas is disjointed, and there is a lack of cohesive devices to link sentences and paragraphs. For example, the information in Body 1 and Body 2 is repetitive, with the same data points mentioned twice without adding new insight. To improve, you should use formal paragraphing (Introduction, Overview, and two body paragraphs) and employ linking words such as 'whereas', 'in contrast', and 'subsequently' to guide the reader through the data.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is quite limited and repetitive. You rely heavily on basic phrasing such as 'recorded approximately' and 'was about'. There is little attempt to use a range of vocabulary to describe trends, such as 'fluctuated', 'declined steadily', or 'experienced a significant increase'. The repetition of 'tonnes' and 'emissions' without variation makes the writing feel mechanical. To reach a higher band, you should incorporate more precise vocabulary related to data description, such as 'peaked at', 'remained stable', or 'showed a downward trend', and avoid repeating the same sentence structures.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The grammatical range is very limited, consisting mostly of simple sentences. There is a lack of complex sentence structures, which are necessary for a higher score. While the errors present do not necessarily impede communication, the lack of variety is a significant weakness. You should aim to combine sentences using relative clauses or subordinating conjunctions to demonstrate control over more complex grammar. Additionally, ensure that your sentences are complete and avoid using informal labels like 'Body 1' within the text itself, as this is not part of standard academic writing.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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