Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-08-05

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 7.5)

The line graph compares the average amount of carbon dioxide emitted per person across four European countries—the UK, Sweden, Italy, and Portugal between 1967 and 2007.

Overall, despite experiencing a continuous downward trend, the UK consistently produced the highest CO2 emissions per capita throughout the 40-year period. Conversely, Portugal initially recorded the lowest figures, although its emissions, along with those of Italy, showed steady growth over time.

In 1967, carbon emissions per individual in the UK stood at approximately 11 metric tonnes. This figure experienced a subtle decline over the next two decades to reach 10 metric tonnes in 1987, before falling further to around 8.8 metric tonnes by 2007. Sweden initially ranked second, rising from nearly 8.9 metric tonnes in 1967 to a peak of 10.3 metric tonnes in 1977. However, Swedish emissions subsequently plunged to 7 metric tonnes in 1987, eventually settling at 5.8 metric tonnes by the end of the period.

By contrast, emissions in Italy and Portugal both followed an upward trajectory. Starting at roughly 4.2 metric tonnes in 1967, Italy's per capita discharge grew steadily, reaching nearly 7.8 metric tonnes in 2007. Similarly, Portugal's emissions increased significantly from a modest 1.3 metric tonnes in 1967 to approximately 5.4 metric tonnes by 2007.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response is excellent and fully addresses the task requirements. You have successfully identified the main trends, such as the UK's downward trajectory and the contrasting growth in Italy and Portugal. The inclusion of specific data points (e.g., 11 metric tonnes in 1967, 5.8 metric tonnes in 2007) effectively supports the summary. You have also made relevant comparisons between the countries, such as noting Sweden's peak in 1977 and the steady rise of Italy and Portugal. The overview is clear and provides a concise summary of the overall patterns, which is essential for a high band score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The response is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a distinct focus: the introduction and overview, the trends for the UK and Sweden, and the trends for Italy and Portugal. The use of cohesive devices such as 'Conversely', 'However', 'By contrast', and 'Similarly' is natural and helps guide the reader through the data comparisons. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate different groups of countries, ensuring the information is easy to follow and well-structured.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You have demonstrated a wide and precise range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic report. Phrases like 'continuous downward trend', 'per capita discharge', 'upward trajectory', and 'modest' show a high level of lexical control. The vocabulary is used accurately to describe trends and figures, and there are no noticeable errors in word choice or collocation. The language is sophisticated and contributes to the overall clarity and professional tone of the report.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The writing displays a wide range of grammatical structures with high accuracy. You have successfully used complex sentences, such as 'Despite experiencing a continuous downward trend, the UK consistently produced...', and 'Sweden initially ranked second, rising from nearly 8.9 metric tonnes...'. Punctuation is used correctly throughout, and there are no significant grammatical errors. The majority of your sentences are error-free, demonstrating a high level of control over English grammar.

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