Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-09-01
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 5.5)
The data reveals the average carbon dioxide emissions per individual in the four different countries worldwide from 1967 to 2007. Measured in metric tonnes.
At a glance, it is clear that average carbon dioxide emissions of each Italian and Portuguese significantly surged, while other two nationalities' reduced their carbon emmisions over the given timeframe.
Looking at the line graph in detail, In 1967, each people of United Kingdom emmited nearly 11 metric tonnes carbon footprint. The figure gradually decreased to roughly 9 metric tonnes by 2007. Whereas, curve of Swedish people fluctuated but ultimately fall. They accounted for more than 8 metric tonnes CO2 in 1967, then crossed the 10 metric tonnes mark before dramatically fell to 5 metric tonnes carbon wastages.
Regarding other Nations, Portuguese people accounted for the lowest share in 1967 by only 1 metric tonnes CO2, but the figure crossed 5 metric tonnes mark by 2007. Similar behavior had shown in Itilian graph also. they start from 4 metric tonnes carbon dioxide(roughly), before finishing at nearly 8 metric tonnes.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0
The response covers all key features of the graph, including the overall trends and specific data points for the four countries. You successfully identified the contrasting trends: the decline in the UK and Sweden versus the growth in Italy and Portugal. However, the overview is slightly imprecise; stating that 'other two nationalities' reduced their emissions is grammatically awkward and slightly inaccurate as it refers to countries, not nationalities. To reach a higher band, ensure that the overview clearly highlights the most significant trends without needing to list every detail. The data selection is generally accurate, though some figures, such as the starting point for Portugal, could be more precisely described.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is logically organized into an introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs. You use some cohesive devices like 'At a glance', 'Whereas', and 'Regarding', which help the reader follow the progression of ideas. However, the flow is occasionally interrupted by awkward phrasing and mechanical transitions. For instance, 'Similar behavior had shown in Itilian graph also' is a bit clunky. To improve, focus on using a wider variety of linking words and ensure that referencing (e.g., 'the latter', 'the former') is used more naturally to avoid repetitive sentence structures. Paragraphing is present, but the transition between the overview and the body could be smoother.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'surged', 'fluctuated', and 'metric tonnes'. However, there are several instances of word-choice errors and non-standard collocations, such as 'carbon wastages' (which is not standard terminology) and 'each people of United Kingdom'. Additionally, there are spelling errors like 'emmited', 'emmisions', and 'Itilian'. To achieve a higher band, you need to use more precise academic vocabulary and ensure correct spelling. Avoid informal or invented phrases; stick to standard terms like 'carbon footprint' or 'CO2 emissions' consistently throughout the report.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While you attempt to use complex sentences, there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally distract the reader, such as 'each people of United Kingdom emmited' (should be 'each person in the UK emitted') and 'Similar behavior had shown in Itilian graph also' (passive voice error). Subject-verb agreement and article usage are inconsistent throughout the text. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence construction and proofreading for common errors like missing articles or incorrect verb tenses. Increasing the frequency of error-free sentences is essential for moving into the 7.0+ range.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.