Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-08-12

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 8.0)

The line graph illustrates changes in average per-capita carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions in the United Kingdom, Sweden, Italy and Portugal between 1967 and 2007, measured in metric tonnes.

Overall, the UK recorded the highest emissions throughout the period, although its figure declined steadily. Sweden followed a markedly different pattern, with emissions initially rising before falling substantially. By contrast, Italy and Portugal experienced considerable growth, with Italy eventually becoming the second-highest emitter.

In 1967, CO₂ emissions in the UK stood at approximately 11 metric tonnes per person, compared with about 8.5 tonnes in Sweden. The British figure then decreased gradually, reaching roughly 8.7 tonnes by 2007. Sweden, however, climbed to just over 10 tonnes in 1977, before experiencing a sharp decline to around 7 tonnes in 1987 and approximately 5.5 tonnes at the end of the period.

Italy's emissions rose consistently from about 4 tonnes per person in 1967 to just over 6 tonnes in 1977. They continued increasing, reaching approximately 7.5 tonnes in 1997, after which the figure remained stable through 2007. Portugal had the lowest emissions initially, at only around 1 tonne per person, but its figure increased steadily to approximately 5.5 tonnes by 2007. Notably, Portugal's emissions almost converged with Sweden's at the end of the period.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response is excellent. You have successfully identified the main features, such as the UK's downward trend, Sweden's peak and decline, and the steady growth of Italy and Portugal. The overview is clear and highlights the most significant trends effectively. You have made relevant comparisons throughout, such as noting that Portugal's emissions converged with Sweden's by the end of the period. All parts of the prompt are addressed, and the data is accurately reported with appropriate references to the metric tonnes and the time frame provided.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The response is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a distinct focus: the introduction, the overview, and two body paragraphs detailing the specific country trends. Cohesive devices such as 'By contrast', 'however', and 'after which' are used naturally to link sentences and ideas. The paragraphing is logical and contributes to the overall clarity of the report. There is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive use of linking words, and the information flows smoothly from one point to the next.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You demonstrate a wide and sophisticated range of vocabulary, which is used with precision. Phrases like 'markedly different pattern', 'declined steadily', and 'remained stable' show a high level of control. You also use topic-specific vocabulary correctly, such as 'per-capita', 'metric tonnes', and 'emitter'. The language is natural and appropriate for an academic report. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or collocation, and the vocabulary is varied enough to avoid repetition throughout the text.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The response displays a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences with subordinate clauses and varied sentence beginnings. The accuracy is very high, with the majority of sentences being error-free. Punctuation is used correctly to support the flow of information. You have successfully managed different tenses to describe historical data and trends. There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication, and the control over complex structures is consistent throughout the entire response.

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