Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.0 · 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 7.0)
The given line graph illustrates the average amount carbon emissions per person in the United Kingdom, Sweden, and Portugal from 1967 and 2007.
From an overall perspective, it is clear that United Kingdom had the highest emissions throughout most of the years. While, Sweden and Portugal had almost the same level of emissions.
Looking first at the United Kingdom and Sweden, the UK recorded the highest level of carbon dioxide emissions at the beginning of the period, at approximately 11 tonnes per person. This figure then declined gradually to around 8.5 tonnes in 2007. In contrast, Sweden started at about 8.5 tonnes and rose to a peak of roughly 10.5 tonnes in 1977. However, its emissions then fell considerably, reaching around 7 tonnes in 1987 and approximately 5.5 tonnes by the end of the period.
As for Italy and Portugal, both countries experienced an overall increase in emissions. Italy's figure rose steadily from about 4 tonnes per person in 1967 to 6 tonnes in 1977, before increasing further to around 7.5 tonnes in 1997. it then remained relatively stable until 2007. In addition, Portugal, had the lowest emissions initially, at only about 1 tonne per person, but its figure increased gradually throughout the period, reaching around 5.5 tonnes in 2007. Consequently, Italy had a considerably higher level of emissions than Portugal at the end of the period.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.0 |
| Overall | 7.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0
The response effectively covers all parts of the task. You have identified the main trends for all four countries and provided relevant data points to support your descriptions. The overview is clear and highlights the key differences between the countries, such as the UK's downward trend versus the upward trend in Italy and Portugal. You have successfully selected and reported the main features as required. To reach a higher band, ensure that all comparisons are fully integrated; for instance, you could explicitly contrast the UK's final figure with the other countries more directly in the conclusion to further strengthen the analytical aspect of your report.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5
The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, overview, and two body paragraphs that group the countries effectively (UK/Sweden and Italy/Portugal). The progression of ideas is smooth, and you use a variety of cohesive devices such as 'In contrast', 'However', and 'As for' to link your points. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate different sets of data. The flow is natural, and the referencing is clear throughout the text, making it easy for the reader to follow the comparisons being made.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.5
You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey the information with precision. Phrases like 'declined gradually', 'rose to a peak', and 'remained relatively stable' are well-chosen and appropriate for describing trends in a graph. There is some awareness of style, and you avoid repetitive phrasing. While the vocabulary is accurate, incorporating a few more sophisticated collocations or less common lexical items related to data trends (e.g., 'fluctuated', 'marginal increase') would elevate the response further. There are no significant errors in word choice that impede communication.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0
The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures effectively. Most sentences are error-free, and your control of grammar is generally strong. There are a few minor slips, such as the missing 'the' before 'United Kingdom' in the second paragraph and a lowercase 'i' at the start of the sentence 'it then remained...'. However, these are rare and do not interfere with the clarity of your writing. You have demonstrated good control over punctuation and sentence construction throughout the report.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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