Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-08-04

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 line graph illustrates carbon dioxide (co2) emissions per person in the United Kingdom, Sweden, Italy, and Portugal between 1967 and 2007.

Overview.

Portugal and Italy co2 emissions in metric tones grew from 1967 to 2007.

where as the United Kingdom and Sweden carbon dioxide emissions in metric tones flacuated from 1967 to 2007.

From 1967 Portugal was at approximately 1 metric tones . where as it sightly increased and reached around 5.8 metric tones in 2007.

In Additionally Italy placed at around 4.2 metric tones in1967 and grew slightly and reached approximately 7.8 metric tones in 2007.

Sweden placed at 8.5 metric tones it grew and suddenly flucuated at 5.8 metric tones .

In Contrast United Kingdom at 10.9 in 1967 and it slightly flucuated and reached around 8.9 metric tones in 2007.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which significantly impacts the score. While you have identified the main trends for the four countries, the analysis is quite brief and lacks the depth required for a higher band. You have successfully selected the main features, such as the growth in Portugal and Italy and the fluctuations in the UK and Sweden, but the lack of sufficient detail and the failure to reach the word count limit mean the task is only partially addressed. To improve, ensure you provide a more comprehensive overview and include more specific data points to support your comparisons.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The essay is organised into paragraphs, but the structure is somewhat mechanical. The use of headings like 'Overview' is not recommended in IELTS writing; instead, use cohesive devices to transition between your introduction, overview, and body paragraphs. While there is some attempt at linking ideas with words like 'whereas' and 'in contrast', the flow is often disrupted by short, choppy sentences. The referencing is sometimes unclear, and the progression of ideas could be more logical. Improving your use of cohesive devices and removing informal formatting will help improve the overall flow.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks the range and precision expected at higher levels. There are several spelling errors, such as 'flacuated' (fluctuated) and 'sightly' (slightly), and some awkward phrasing like 'placed at' when describing data points. You rely on basic descriptors and repetitive sentence structures. To achieve a higher score, try to incorporate a wider variety of verbs and adverbs to describe trends, such as 'soared', 'plummeted', or 'remained relatively stable', and ensure you check your spelling carefully before submitting.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains a mix of simple and some attempted complex structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Examples include 'Portugal was at approximately 1 metric tones' (should be 'metric tonne') and 'In Additionally Italy placed at'. There are also issues with punctuation and capitalization. The frequent errors in subject-verb agreement and pluralization suggest a need for more careful proofreading. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence construction and ensuring that your verb tenses and noun forms are consistent throughout the text.

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

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