Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-08-20

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 5.0)

The graph illustrates average carbon dioxide emissions per person in the United Kingdom, Portugal, Sweden, and Italy.

In the united Kingdom ,in 1977 the graph reached at the peak and is slightly going downward in 2007 while on the other hand , in Sweden the cardon dioxide emissions per person has become the same as compared to the United Kingdom in 1977. In 2007 ,it abruptly decreases with 4 metric tonnes.

Moreover, Italy has seen an increased graph in 1987 and steadily going upward as compared to United Kingdom and Sweden. from 1987 to 2007 ,the graph went higher .

The least carbon dioxide per emissions in Portugal has seen the lowest points as compared to United Kingdom, Sweden, and Italy. In 1967 ,it was almost null and it took a sudden shift and increased in 1987 then enhanced in 1997 and gradually in 2007. Sweden and Portugal have reached the same point in 2007.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The student provides a basic overview of the graph, focusing on trends in carbon dioxide emissions over time. However, the response lacks clear organization and some key comparisons. For example, it mentions the peak emissions in the UK but does not adequately compare this with emissions from other countries throughout the stated years. The description of trends is also vague; more precise data points could improve the summary significantly, especially regarding the exact figures of emissions.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The coherence of the response is hampered by awkward sentence structures and a lack of clear logical progression. Phrases like "In the united Kingdom ,in 1977 the graph reached at the peak" are unclear and poorly constructed. The transitions between sentences and ideas could be smoother to help the reader follow the argument. The use of paragraphs is also lacking, which further confuses the structure and flow of the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The use of vocabulary in the response is limited. Phrases like "slightly going downward" and "the least carbon dioxide per emissions" show repetition and lack variation, which affects the score in lexical resource. There are also several spelling errors, such as "cardon" instead of "carbon" and "null" inappropriately used. A broader range of vocabulary related to emissions and clearer descriptions would enhance the overall quality of the response.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

Grammatical accuracy is inconsistent in the student's response. There are multiple instances of grammatical errors, such as incorrect prepositions and article use, as seen in "in the united Kingdom" and "has become the same as compared to". Sentence fragments, such as "from 1987 to 2007 ,the graph went higher" do not contribute to clarity and are grammatically incorrect. Improving sentence structure and reviewing basic grammar rules would greatly benefit this writing.

Overall feedback

Your response summarizes the trends in CO2 emissions but can be significantly improved by focusing on clarity and structure. Make sure to logically organize your points and compare countries effectively, citing specific data from the graph to support your observations. Improve your vocabulary by avoiding repetitive language and using more precise terms. Finally, pay attention to grammatical accuracy and sentence structure to enhance the readability of your writing. Practicing these areas will help elevate your score in future tasks.

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

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