Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-08-30
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 given line graph illustrates the proportion of emission of carbon dioxide per person in five different countries (the United Kingdom, Sweden, Italy and Portugal) from 1976 to 2007.
Overall, it is clear that the emission of carbon dioxide in Sweden and Portugal remained same in 2007, while the United Kingdom had the highest percentage of carbon dioxide emission.
In 1967, in the United Kingdom the emission of carbon dioxide accounted for 11 metric tonnes and it remained same in 1977. In contrast, in 1987 the level of carbon dioxide emission fell gradually to 10 metric tonnes, after that it started continuously declining and reached to 9 metric tonnes in 2007. Furthermore, in 1967, in Sweden almost 9 metric tonnes was the total emission of carbon dioxide and the figure rose steadily from 9 metric tonnes to almost 11 metric tonnes in 1977. The rate of carbon dioxide emission dropped significantly to 7 metric tonnes in 1987 and then reached 5 metric tonnes in 2007.
Italy had exceeding emission of carbon dioxide than 4 metric tonnes in 1967, and the figure rose sharply from 4 metric tonnes to 6 metric tones in 1977. Moreover, the emission of carbon dioxide was about 7 metric tonnes in 1976 and the number remained same in 2007. In Portugal, the emission of carbon dioxide was 1 metric tonnes in 1976 and then it increased to 5 metric tonnes in 2007.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 6.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers all four countries and identifies the main trends. However, there are significant inaccuracies in data reporting. For instance, the prompt states the period is 1967–2007, but the student mentions 1976–2007 in the introduction and body paragraphs. Additionally, the student claims the UK had the 'highest percentage' of emissions, but the graph measures metric tonnes, not percentages. While the main features are highlighted, the misinterpretation of the data units and the incorrect date range limit the effectiveness of the summary. To improve, ensure all data points are transcribed accurately from the graph and that the units of measurement are correctly identified.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The essay is organised into four paragraphs, which is appropriate for a Task 1 response. There is a logical progression from the overview to the specific details. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and occasionally repetitive, such as the frequent use of 'in 1967' and 'in 1977'. While the paragraphing is clear, the transitions between sentences could be more varied to improve the flow. The referencing is generally clear, but the overall structure relies on a list-like approach to data rather than a more integrated comparison of the trends.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.0
The range of vocabulary is adequate for the task, with attempts to use descriptive verbs like 'declining', 'rose steadily', and 'dropped significantly'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation. For example, 'exceeding emission' is not natural English; 'higher emissions' would be more appropriate. There are also minor errors in pluralisation, such as '1 metric tonnes' instead of '1 metric tonne'. To reach a higher band, focus on using more precise academic collocations and ensure consistent agreement between numbers and units.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are frequent grammatical errors, particularly with subject-verb agreement and preposition usage (e.g., 'remained same' instead of 'remained the same', 'reached to 9 metric tonnes' instead of 'reached 9 metric tonnes'). Punctuation is generally functional, but the sentence structure is somewhat repetitive. The errors do not usually impede communication, but they are frequent enough to prevent a higher score. Focusing on articles and consistent verb tenses will help improve accuracy.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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