Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-08-19

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 6.0)

The graph illustrates the average carbon dioxide emissions per person in four countries over a period of four decades.

On one hand, Italy and Portugal both recorded a steady increase in the average emissions between the years.Moreover, between 1997 and 2007, the two countries recorded very minimal increase in the average emissions. It is also worth noting that the increase was more constant in Portugal than it was in Italy.

Sweden on the other hand recorded a significant growth in the average carbon dioxide emissions for the first decade beginning in 1967. It then recorded a rapid decline in the ten years after 1977. Afterwards, the decline was somehow steady.

The United Kingdom had an almost constant decrease in the average carbon dioxide emissions. It is also evident that the decrease between 1967 and 1977 was minimal as compared to the 30 years afterwards.

It is also evident that at the end of the 40 years, the United Kingdom had the highest average while Sweden and Portugal had the least average. Italy rose from having the third highest average in 1967 to being second in 2007.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response covers the main features of the graph, including the trends for all four countries. However, the summary is somewhat lacking in data precision. For example, you mention 'significant growth' or 'rapid decline' without referencing the specific figures provided in the graph, which is essential for an Academic Task 1 response. Furthermore, the concluding paragraph contains a factual error regarding the final rankings in 2007, as the graph shows the UK and Italy having higher emissions than Sweden and Portugal. To improve, ensure you select key data points to support your descriptions and double-check your interpretation of the visual information.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response is logically organised into paragraphs, each focusing on specific countries or groups of countries. You use transition signals such as 'On one hand', 'Moreover', and 'Sweden on the other hand' to guide the reader. However, the flow between some sentences is slightly mechanical. The final paragraph attempts to provide an overview but feels somewhat detached from the previous analysis. To reach a higher band, ensure that your overview is clearly integrated and that cohesive devices are used to link ideas more fluidly rather than just starting new sentences with them.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey the trends, using terms like 'steady increase', 'rapid decline', and 'constant decrease'. However, the vocabulary is somewhat repetitive, and there are minor issues with collocation, such as 'minimal increase' (which is acceptable but could be more precise) and 'somehow steady' (which is informal). To improve, try to incorporate more varied synonyms for change and stability, and ensure that your word choices are precise and academic in tone.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While most sentences are clear, there are some grammatical inaccuracies, such as 'the two countries recorded very minimal increase' (missing an article) and 'the least average' (which should be 'the lowest average'). Punctuation is generally correct, though there is a missing space after the period in the second paragraph. The grammar is sufficient to communicate your points, but to achieve a higher score, you should aim for a wider variety of complex structures with fewer minor errors.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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