Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-08-11
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 7.0)
The graph represents the average CO2 emissions per person in United Kingdom, Sweden, Italy and Portugal throughout the period from 1967 till 2007. Overall, United Kingdom had the maximum emissions of CO2 throughout this period, as the emission was greater than all the other countries in 1967, which had fallen thereafter to a small extent. Whereas, Portugal had least emission of CO2 in 1967 of just 1.5 metric tonnes, which rose steadily to 5 metric tonnes in 1997, and thereafter remained static till 2007.
On the other hand, Sweden had been having the second highest emissions of CO2 of 9 metric tonnes, thereafter rising by nearly 2 metric tonnes till 1977. This peak coincided with the value of UK in 1977. Furthermore, these emissions fell down drastically to 7.5 metric tonnes in 10 years, before finally dipping down to 5 metric tonnes in 2007. Interestingly, both Italy and Sweden had same emissions of 7 metric tonnes in 1987. Italy, has been having third highest emissions of just above 4 metric tonnes in 1967, which rose constantly to reach just below 8 metric tonnes in 1997 and remained there till 2007.
To summarise, Portugal and Italy were the smallest contributors to CO2 emissions throughout the period, but Italy became second highest contributor in 2007 after coinciding with Sweden in 1987, to rise to reach 7.9 metric tonnes leaving behind Sweden.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.5 |
| Overall | 7.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0
The response covers all key features of the graph, including the trends for all four countries. You have successfully identified the main trends, such as the UK's overall decline and Portugal's steady rise. The comparison between countries is well-integrated, particularly the observation regarding Italy and Sweden in 1987. However, the overview could be more distinct; while you have an 'Overall' sentence, it is slightly buried within the first paragraph. To reach a higher band, ensure the overview clearly highlights the most significant trends (e.g., the convergence of emissions) as a separate, distinct paragraph or a very clear opening statement. The data points are generally accurate and support the main features well.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0
The response is logically organized, with a clear progression from an introduction to body paragraphs and a summary. You use cohesive devices such as 'On the other hand', 'Furthermore', and 'Interestingly' to link ideas effectively. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different country trends. However, some transitions are slightly mechanical, and the referencing could be smoother. For example, the phrase 'Sweden had been having' is slightly awkward and impacts the flow. Overall, the information is easy to follow, and the logical sequencing of data points demonstrates a good command of coherence.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.5
You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey the information clearly, using terms like 'metric tonnes', 'steady', 'drastically', and 'static'. There are some minor inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'had been having' and 'fell down drastically', which are slightly informal or redundant. You attempt to use less common vocabulary, which is good, but some collocations could be more precise. For instance, 'leaving behind Sweden' is understandable but not the most academic way to describe a statistical trend. Expanding your range of reporting verbs and adverbs would help elevate the score.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5
You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as 'Portugal had least emission... which rose steadily'. There are some grammatical errors, such as missing articles ('the' United Kingdom, 'the' least emission) and occasional tense inconsistencies (e.g., 'Italy, has been having'). While these errors are present, they do not impede communication. To improve, focus on the consistent use of articles and ensure that your verb tenses accurately reflect the historical nature of the data provided. The punctuation is generally accurate, and the sentence structures are varied enough to maintain interest.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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