Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-09-02
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)
This graph illustrates average carbon dioxide emissions per person in several countries like United Kingdom, Sweden, Italy and Portugal between 1967 and 2007.
Overall, the highest number of carbon emission country is United Kingdom in 1967 which is approximately 11 metric tonnes and the number decreases at 9 metric tonnes in 2007. The lowest number of carbon emission country is Portugal in 1967 but gradually increases over the years and reaches to 5 metric tonnes in 2007.
Firstly United kingdom was the highest numbers in carbon dioxide emission in 1967 but compared to 2007 it decreases. The second country Sweden was the second highest carbon emission number starts with 8 after 10 years it increased and crossed 10 metric tonnes and in 2007 massive reduction seen in (CO 2)
emission.
Italy was at 4 metric tonnes in 1967 and significant increase seen in 2007 which is 7.5 at numbers. The last and lowest carbon emission country was Portugal in 1967 but numbers increased in 2007 at 5.5 metric tonnes.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 6.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0
The response covers all four countries and the time period, identifying key trends such as the UK's decline and the general increase in Italy and Portugal. However, the reporting of data is sometimes inaccurate or confusing. For example, stating the UK was the 'highest number of carbon emission country' is awkward phrasing. The description of Sweden's trend is also slightly unclear, as it mentions a 'massive reduction' without clearly contrasting it with the earlier peak. To improve, ensure that data points are cited precisely and that the overview highlights the most significant trends rather than just listing individual country movements. The summary is present but could be more analytical regarding the overall shift in emissions across the four nations.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The essay is organised into logical paragraphs, with an introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs focusing on specific countries. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and repetitive. Phrases like 'The second country' and 'The last and lowest' are functional but lack variety. Additionally, the transition between the overview and the body paragraphs is abrupt. To reach a higher band, you should use a wider range of linking words and phrases to connect ideas more fluidly, such as 'In contrast,' 'Conversely,' or 'Meanwhile,' rather than relying on simple sequencing words like 'Firstly' and 'The last'.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks the precision and sophistication required for higher bands. You rely on basic descriptors like 'highest number' and 'lowest number' repeatedly. There are also some awkward collocations, such as 'highest number of carbon emission country' instead of 'highest per capita carbon dioxide emissions'. The use of 'massive reduction' is a good attempt at descriptive language, but overall, the range is limited. To improve, incorporate more precise terminology related to data trends, such as 'fluctuated,' 'peaked,' 'remained stable,' or 'a downward trend'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally hinder clarity. For instance, 'the highest number of carbon emission country is United Kingdom' should be 'the country with the highest carbon emissions was the United Kingdom'. There are also issues with article usage ('the United Kingdom') and subject-verb agreement. While the meaning is generally clear, the frequency of these errors prevents the writing from being considered highly accurate. Focusing on consistent verb tense usage and correct article placement will significantly improve the quality of your writing.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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