Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-08-17

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 compares average per-capita carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions in the United Kingdom, Sweden, Italy and Portugal between 1967 and 2007.

Overall, the UK recorded the highest emissions throughout the period, although its figure declined steadily. Sweden also decreased after reaching a peak in the late 1970s, whereas Italy and Portugal experienced continuous growth. By 2007, Italy had become the second-highest emitter.

In 1967, the UK produced approximately 11 metric tonnes of CO₂ per person, compared with around 9 tonnes in Sweden. Italy and Portugal recorded much lower figures, at about 4 and 1 tonne, respectively. Over the following four decades, UK emissions gradually fell to roughly 9 tonnes.

Sweden's emissions rose to just over 10 tonnes in 1977 before declining sharply to around 5.5 tonnes in 2007. In contrast, Italy's figure increased steadily, reaching almost 8 tonnes and overtaking Sweden during the 1990s. Portugal showed the fastest growth, climbing consistently to approximately 5.5 tonnes. By the end of the period, its emissions were almost equal to Sweden's.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response is excellent and fully addresses all parts of the task. You have successfully identified the main trends, such as the UK's steady decline and the contrasting growth in Italy and Portugal. The overview is clear and provides a concise summary of the key features, which is essential for a high band score. You have also made relevant comparisons, such as noting when Italy overtook Sweden and highlighting the convergence of Portugal and Sweden by 2007. The data is accurately reported, and the selection of information is logical and well-balanced, ensuring the reader gets a clear picture of the graph's overall message.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The response is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a distinct focus: the introduction, the overview, and the detailed body paragraphs. You have used cohesive devices effectively, such as 'In contrast', 'whereas', and 'over the following four decades', which help the reader follow the narrative smoothly. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the general trends from the specific data points. The flow between sentences is natural, and there is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive linking, which demonstrates a high level of control over the structure of the report.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a wide and flexible range of vocabulary, which is used with precision. Phrases like 'per-capita carbon dioxide emissions', 'recorded the highest emissions', and 'declining sharply' show a sophisticated command of the language. You successfully avoid repetition by using varied verbs and adverbs to describe trends, such as 'climbed consistently' and 'fell gradually'. The use of 'metric tonnes' and 'emitter' is contextually appropriate and adds to the academic tone of the report. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or collocation, and the vocabulary is well-suited to the task.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The response displays a wide range of grammatical structures with high accuracy. You have used a mix of simple and complex sentences effectively, such as the use of subordinate clauses in 'Sweden also decreased after reaching a peak in the late 1970s'. Punctuation is used correctly throughout, and there are no grammatical errors that impede communication. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the control over tense and subject-verb agreement is consistent. The writing is fluent and demonstrates a high level of grammatical competence suitable for this task.

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