Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-08-23

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 graph illustrates the average amount of carbon dioxide, in metric tons, emitted per person in the United Kingdom, Sweden, Italy and Portugal from 1967 to 2007.

Overall, the emissions of carbon dioxide in Italy and Portugal showed an upward trend throughout the period, whereas the United Kingdom emissions decreased and Sweden increased initially before declining by the end of the period.

Although the carbon dioxide emissions in the United Kingdom declined, it recorded the highest position over the period. It stood at 11 metric tons in 1967 and decreased steadily to around 8 metric tons by 2007. There was a surge in the emissions in Sweden initially, from approximately 9 metric tons in 1967 to just over 10 in 1977; however, it plunged to about 6 and fell modestly to just under 6 metric tons.

By 1967, Italy's carbon emissions per person started around 4 metric tons, which slightly increased to nearly 8 metric tons until 1997 and plateaued for the following years. Similarly, Portugal accounted for the lowest carbon emission in 1967, which was approximately 1 metric ton per person, it increased considerably to slightly under 6 and remained relatively stable until 2007.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

You have successfully identified the main trends and provided a clear overview of the data. You covered all four countries and highlighted the key differences in their trajectories, such as the UK's decline versus the growth in Italy and Portugal. The selection of data points is appropriate, and you have made relevant comparisons throughout the report. To reach a higher band, ensure that all data points are described with maximum precision; for example, when mentioning Sweden's decline, you could be more specific about the timeframe of the drop to avoid ambiguity. Overall, the response is well-structured and addresses the prompt effectively.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, an overview paragraph, and two body paragraphs focusing on different groupings of countries. The progression of ideas is smooth, and you have used cohesive devices such as 'whereas', 'although', and 'similarly' to link your points effectively. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different trends. To improve further, ensure that referencing is always precise; for instance, in the final paragraph, the sentence starting with 'it increased considerably' could be more clearly linked to Portugal to avoid any potential confusion regarding the subject.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe trends, such as 'upward trend', 'surge', 'plunged', and 'plateaued'. This demonstrates a good level of control and precision. The vocabulary is appropriate for an academic report. To achieve a higher score, try to incorporate a slightly wider variety of collocations or more sophisticated synonyms for common verbs. For example, instead of 'recorded the highest position', you could use 'maintained the highest level of emissions'. Your spelling is accurate throughout, and the terminology used for the data is clear and professional.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a good command of both simple and complex sentence structures. The use of subordinate clauses (e.g., 'Although the carbon dioxide emissions... it recorded...') is effective. Most of your sentences are error-free, and your punctuation is generally accurate. There is a minor grammatical slip in the final paragraph: 'Portugal accounted for the lowest carbon emission... it increased considerably' is a comma splice. Using a semicolon or a conjunction would correct this. Overall, your control of grammar is strong, and the occasional minor error does not impede the clarity of your writing.

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