Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · 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 7.0)

The line graph illustrates average carbon dioxide emissions per capita in different countries over the period of 1967 and 2007.

Overall, the United Kingdom’s emissions decreased throughout the given period. Sweden’s per-person emissions increased initially before declining significantly towards the end of the period. The emissions recorded in Italy and Portugal increased throughout the given period. However, the emissions recorded in Portugal showed substantial growth than Italy.

In 1967, per-person emissions recorded in the United Kingdom stood at around 10.9 metric tonnes. This figure then decreased to around 8.8 metric tonnes in 2007. CO2 emissions recorded in Sweden were approximately 8.8 metric tonnes in 1967. This figure then rose sharply to around 10.1 metric tonnes in 1977 before it fell significantly to nearly 5.5 metric tonnes in 2007.

In 1967, CO2 emissions recorded in Italy amounted to around 4.4 metric tonnes. This figure then increased slightly to nearly 7.8 metric tonnes in 1997 before it remained unchanged in 2007. Portugal recorded approximately 1.3 metric tonnes CO2 emissions in 1967. The figure then rose sharply to around 5.3 metric tonnes in 1997 before it peaked at nearly 5.5 metric tonnes in 2007.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response effectively identifies the main features of the graph, including the downward trend in the UK, the fluctuations in Sweden, and the growth in Italy and Portugal. You have successfully selected relevant data points to support your descriptions. The overview is clear and provides a good summary of the overall trends. To reach a higher band, ensure that comparisons are more explicit; for example, when noting that Portugal showed 'substantial growth than Italy', the phrasing is slightly awkward and could be improved by stating that Portugal's growth was more pronounced than Italy's. Overall, the task is well-addressed.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized, with a clear introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs focusing on specific country groupings. Cohesive devices such as 'In 1967', 'This figure then', and 'However' are used appropriately to guide the reader through the data. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate the trends. The progression of ideas is clear, and the information is presented in a way that is easy to follow. The use of referencing is generally accurate, ensuring that the reader can easily track which country and time period is being discussed.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe trends, such as 'decreased', 'increased', 'rose sharply', and 'peaked'. The use of 'metric tonnes' and 'per capita' is accurate and appropriate for an academic report. While the vocabulary is functional and precise, it is somewhat repetitive in its structure (e.g., 'This figure then...'). Incorporating a slightly wider variety of synonyms for 'increase' or 'decrease' (such as 'climb', 'plummet', or 'level off') would enhance the sophistication of your writing and help you achieve a higher band score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The response displays a good control of grammatical structures. You use a mix of simple and complex sentences effectively, and the majority of your sentences are error-free. There is consistent control over tense usage, particularly when referring to past data. Punctuation is generally accurate. While the grammar is solid, the sentence structures are somewhat uniform. Introducing more varied sentence beginnings or using more complex subordinating conjunctions could further demonstrate your grammatical flexibility and help elevate your score.

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