Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-08-28

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 6.5)

The line graph illustrates the average carbon dioxide emissions per person in the four different nations from 1967 to 2007.

Overall, the emissions of carbon dioxide in the UK declined sharply, whereas the figures for Italy and Portugal rose steadily. In contrast, carbon dioxide emissions in Sweden initially increased and then declined over the period.

An analysis of the graph reveals that carbon dioxide emissions in the UK decreased significantly. In 1967, the UK recorded nearly 11 metric tonnes, whereas this figure dropped to around 10 metric tonnes in 1987, and fell further to around 8.5 metric tonnes by 2007. Initially, Sweden recorded approximately 8.5 metric tonnes in 1967, this figure climbed to 10.2 metric tonnes in 1977, before falling to 7 metric tonnes in 1987, and further this fell figure dipped to nearly 5.8 metric tonnes by 2007.

From the graph, it is evident that, in 1967, Italy accounted for 4.2 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions. while it increased to 7.8 metric tonnes in 1997 and remained stable in 2007.

Although, Portugal recorded the lowest emission than other countries, it rose steadily over the period. In 1967, Portugal recorded 1.5 metric tonnes, while it reached around 5.8 metric tonnes by 2007.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response effectively identifies the main trends and provides a clear overview of the data. You have successfully selected key features, such as the downward trend in the UK and the steady growth in Portugal. The comparisons between countries are well-integrated, and the data points are generally accurate. To reach a higher band, ensure that all data is presented with complete precision; for instance, the description of Italy's trend could be more nuanced by noting the slight fluctuations rather than just the start and end points. Overall, the task is well-addressed with a clear summary of the provided information.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized, with a clear introduction, an overview paragraph, and two body paragraphs that group the data effectively. Cohesive devices such as 'In contrast', 'Initially', and 'From the graph, it is evident that' are used to guide the reader through the information. However, some transitions are slightly mechanical, and the flow between sentences could be improved by using more varied linking structures. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different trends, which helps the reader follow the comparison between the four nations.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey the information clearly. Phrases like 'recorded nearly 11 metric tonnes' and 'climbed to 10.2 metric tonnes' are accurate and appropriate for a report. There is some repetition of 'recorded' and 'metric tonnes', which limits the sophistication of the lexical range. To improve, try to incorporate more varied reporting verbs or synonyms for 'increase' and 'decrease' (e.g., 'surged', 'plummeted', 'fluctuated'). The vocabulary is adequate for the task and does not impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the majority of sentences are clear, there are some minor grammatical slips, such as 'this fell figure dipped' and 'Although, Portugal recorded the lowest emission than other countries'. The latter contains a punctuation error and an incorrect comparative structure ('lower than', not 'lowest... than'). Despite these occasional errors, your control of grammar is generally good, and the meaning is always clear. Increasing the variety of complex sentence structures would further enhance the score.

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

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