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)

The line chart illustrates the average carbon dioxide emissions each person in the United Kingdom, Sweden, Italy and Portugal from 1967 to 2007.

Overall, UK was in top position in the starting phase of the chart however it continuously dropped over a years. On contrast, Portugal was in lowest position in the starting time of the chart but it continuously rose after all years.

At first, in 1967, CO2 emissions per person in the UK was almost 11 metric tonnes but it spontaneously dropped over a decades and reached 9 metric tonnes in 2007. On the other hand, Carbon emission was very low in Portugal in 1967 around 1 metric tonnes but it grew continuously and reached about 5 metric tonnes in 2007.

Subsequently, Sweden emitted almost 9 metric tonnes in 1967, it rose after one decade and reached almost 11 metric tonnes in 1977. After that, it showed steady decrease over a years and reached only 5 metric tonnes in 2007. Italy showed the most dramatic changes over a decades it started from around 5 metric tonnes and slightly up in 1977 to 7 metric tonnes. Then it grew slowly over a two decades and stay constant from 1997 to 2007 with almost 7 metric tonnes.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response covers all key features of the graph, including the trends for all four countries. You successfully identified the starting and ending points and noted the main trends (e.g., the UK's decline and Portugal's growth). However, the overview is slightly underdeveloped; while you mention the UK and Portugal, you could have provided a more comprehensive summary by noting the overall shift in emissions across the group. The data is generally accurate, though some figures, such as the UK's starting point, could be more precise based on the visual data provided. Overall, the response fulfills the requirements of the task well.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is logically organized into paragraphs, with an introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs. You use some cohesive devices like 'On the other hand' and 'Subsequently' to link ideas. However, the flow is occasionally mechanical, and some transitions are slightly awkward, such as 'At first' to introduce a data point. The use of referencing is generally clear, but the paragraphing could be improved by grouping countries with similar trends together rather than treating them in isolation. Overall, the progression of ideas is clear and easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'metric tonnes', 'dramatic changes', and 'steady decrease'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'spontaneously dropped' (which implies an unplanned, sudden event rather than a trend) and 'over a years' (grammatically incorrect). You also repeat phrases like 'reached' and 'over a decades' multiple times. To reach a higher band, try to incorporate more varied synonyms for trends and avoid repetitive phrasing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, particularly with articles ('in top position', 'in lowest position') and pluralization ('over a years', 'over a decades'). While these errors do not impede communication, they are frequent enough to prevent a higher score. You show an attempt at complex sentences, but the control over these structures is inconsistent. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of articles will significantly improve the accuracy of your writing.

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

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