Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · 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 7.0)

The line graph illustrates the average carbon dioxide emissions per person in 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 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 addresses the task requirements by identifying the main trends and providing relevant data points for all four countries. The overview is clear and highlights the key differences in trends, such as the UK's decline versus the steady rise in Italy and Portugal. The data is accurately selected and used to support the descriptions. To reach a higher band, ensure that comparisons are made more explicitly throughout the body paragraphs rather than just listing data points. For instance, noting that Portugal's emissions, while rising, remained significantly lower than the UK's throughout the period would strengthen the analytical aspect of the response.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, overview, and two body paragraphs. The progression of ideas is smooth, and the use of cohesive devices such as 'whereas', 'in contrast', and 'before falling to' is effective. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the trends of the four countries. The referencing is generally clear, though some transitions between sentences could be more varied to avoid a slightly mechanical feel. Overall, the information is presented in a coherent manner that is easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The vocabulary is sufficient and appropriate for the task. The student uses terms like 'recorded', 'declined sharply', 'rose steadily', and 'accounted for' correctly. There is a good attempt at using specific terminology related to data reporting. While the range is adequate, it lacks the more sophisticated, less common lexical items that would characterize a higher band. For example, instead of repeating 'recorded' or 'figure', using synonyms like 'emitted', 'levels', or 'proportions' would enhance the lexical variety.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The response demonstrates a good control of grammatical structures, with a mix of simple and complex sentences. Most sentences are error-free, and the punctuation is generally accurate. There is a minor error in the phrase 'lowest emission than other countries', which should be 'lowest emissions compared to the other countries'. However, this does not impede communication. The use of temporal clauses and comparative structures is well-managed, showing a good level of flexibility in sentence construction.

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

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