Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-08-24

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 information of average carbon dioxide emissions per person in 1967 to 2007 in different countries. The figures are given in tonnes.

Overall, the United kingdom and Sweden is the two countries in which carbon dioxide is used more in 1967, however they no longer exist in 2007 they steadily decline. Italy and Portugal go rose all over the period from 1967 to 2007.

In 1967, carbon dioxide were more used by the United kingdom by 11 tonnes in 1967 to 1977, but they gradually fall down in 1987 to 2007 by 9 tonnes. On the other hand, Sweden started with 6 tonnes carbon dioxide used by individuals. In 1977, Sweden sharply soared at 10 tonnes approximately. In 1987, they sharply, plummet to 7 tonnes. By the end of the year, they steadily fall down in 2007 at 5 tonnes.

Italy, started with 4.5 tonnes approximately in 1967, but significantly rose in 1977 at 6.5 tonnes. From 1977 to 1987 they stay constant, but in 1997 carbon dioxide gradually grow at 7.5 tonnes approximately. By the end of the year they remain stable. Portugal started with 1.5 tonnes in 1967, then gradually climb in the 1987 by 3.5 approximately. In 1987 to 1997 carbon dioxide rapidly surgued to 4.5 approximately, and remain stable by the end of the period.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

You have successfully identified the main trends and provided a clear overview of the data. You covered all four countries and highlighted the contrasting patterns between the declining emissions of the UK and Sweden and the rising emissions of Italy and Portugal. However, the report contains some factual inaccuracies regarding the data points (e.g., stating the UK was 11 tonnes in 1967-1977, whereas the graph shows it starting around 10.5). Additionally, the overview is slightly confusing, as you mention countries 'no longer exist' in 2007, which is a misinterpretation of the data. More precise data reporting would improve the score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The response is logically organized into paragraphs, with a clear introduction, overview, and body paragraphs for the two groups of countries. You use some cohesive devices such as 'On the other hand' and 'Overall' to guide the reader. However, the flow is occasionally hindered by awkward phrasing and repetitive sentence structures. Some transitions are mechanical, and the referencing is sometimes unclear, particularly in the second body paragraph where the subject 'they' is used repeatedly without clear reference to the specific country or the data point being discussed.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'steadily decline', 'sharply soared', and 'remain stable'. However, there are several instances of word-choice errors and awkward collocations, such as 'carbon dioxide were more used' (emissions are produced, not used) and 'plummet to 7 tonnes' (plummet is a strong verb, but the usage here is slightly imprecise). There are also spelling errors like 'surgued' instead of 'surged'. While the vocabulary is sufficient to convey the main points, it lacks the precision and flexibility required for a higher band.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are frequent grammatical errors, including subject-verb agreement issues (e.g., 'United kingdom and Sweden is', 'carbon dioxide were'), incorrect verb tenses, and awkward phrasing (e.g., 'Italy and Portugal go rose'). Punctuation is generally functional, but the frequency of errors in basic grammar is noticeable. While these errors do not completely impede communication, they occur consistently throughout the text, which limits the score in this criterion.

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