Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · 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 6.5)

The supplied line graph depicts average co2 emissions per person in the UK , Sweden, Italy and Portugal varied from the year between 1967 to 2007. The data is calibrated in matric tones.

it is conspicuous that the UK started at approximately 11 metric tones in 1967 and gradually decreased to around 9 tones in 2007. Sweden, on the other hand, initially stood at about 8.5 tones and reached a peak of just over 10 tones in 1977. However, its figure then experienced a significant decline, finishing at approximately 5.5 tones

As the graph demonstrates, Italy showed a steady increase from around 4 tones to nearly 8 tones between 1967 and 1997, before remaining stable until the end of the period. Similarly, Portugal experienced a considerable rise, climbing from approximately 1 tone in 1967 to over 5 tones in 2007.

Overall, it is quite evident that the UK was represented by the highest CO2emissions for most of the period, while Portugal calculated the lowest figure. furthermore, a significant increase in Italy and Portugal was over the given period.

AI examiner evaluation

CriterionBand
Task Achievement / Task Response6.5
Coherence and Cohesion6.5
Lexical Resource6.0
Grammatical Range and Accuracy6.0
Overall6.5

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

You have successfully identified the main features of the graph, including the trends for all four countries. You provided a clear overview and supported your points with specific data points, such as the UK's decline from 11 to 9 metric tonnes and Italy's steady increase. To reach a higher band, ensure you consistently use the correct units (you wrote 'tones' instead of 'tonnes') and avoid minor inaccuracies in data reporting. The comparison between countries is well-handled, and the overall summary effectively captures the key differences in emissions trends over the forty-year period.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, body paragraphs for the different countries, and a concluding overview. You used cohesive devices such as 'on the other hand', 'however', and 'similarly' to link ideas effectively. The progression of information is easy to follow. To improve, ensure that your paragraphing is consistent and that your referencing is precise. For example, in the final paragraph, the phrase 'Portugal calculated the lowest figure' is slightly awkward; 'recorded' or 'registered' would be more appropriate in this context.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You have a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey the information clearly, using terms like 'conspicuous', 'gradually decreased', and 'significant decline'. However, there are some spelling errors, such as 'matric tones' instead of 'metric tonnes', and 'co2emissions' missing a space. These errors are noticeable but do not impede communication. To improve, focus on using more precise collocations and ensure technical terms are spelled correctly. Expanding your range of synonyms for 'increase' and 'decrease' would also help demonstrate a more sophisticated command of the language.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

You demonstrate a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, which is appropriate for this task. There are some grammatical slips, such as 'varied from the year between 1967 to 2007' (which is slightly redundant) and 'the UK was represented by the highest CO2 emissions' (which is a passive construction that sounds a bit unnatural). Punctuation is generally good, though there are minor issues with spacing and capitalization (e.g., 'it is conspicuous' should be capitalized). Most of your sentences are clear, and errors do not interfere with the reader's understanding.

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

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