Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · 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 7.5)

The line graph illustrates average carbon dioxide emissions per capita in the UK, Sweden, Italy and Portugal over the period of 1967 and 2007.

Overall, the United Kingdom’s emissions decreased throughout the period. Sweden’s per person emissions increased initially before declining significantly towards the end of the period. The emissions recorded in Italy and Portugal rose throughout the period. However, emissions recorded in Portugal showed more substantial growth than Italy.

In 1967, the United Kingdom’s emissions stood at around 10.9 metric tonnes. This figure then decreased steadily to nearly 8.9 metric tonnes in 2007. By contrast, emissions recorded in Sweden amounted to roughly 8.9 metric tonnes in 1967, before peaking at around 10.5 metric tonnes in 1977. This figure then fell significantly to approximately 5.5 metric tonnes in 2007.

In 1967, emissions recorded in Italy were around 4.2 metric tonnes, rose gradually to nearly 6.3 metric tonnes in 1977, before it peaked at around 7.8 metric tonnes in 1997. The figure then remained unchanged at 7.8 metric tonnes in 2007. Similarly in 1967, Portugal’s emissions stood at nearly 1.2 metric tonnes. The figure then rose drastically to approximately 5.3 metric tonnes in 2007.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response effectively addresses all parts of the task. You have provided a clear overview of the trends and selected key features to illustrate the changes in CO2 emissions for all four countries. The comparisons between the countries are relevant and well-supported by the data provided. You successfully identified the downward trend for the UK and Sweden, and the upward trends for Italy and Portugal. The information is accurate and the report is well-structured, meeting the requirements for a high band score by providing a comprehensive summary of the main features.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The response is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a distinct focus: the introduction, the overall summary, and two body paragraphs detailing the specific data. You have used cohesive devices such as 'By contrast', 'Similarly', and 'throughout the period' effectively to link sentences and ideas. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different trends. The flow of information is smooth, and the relationship between the countries is clearly articulated, making the text easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the trends accurately. Phrases like 'decreased steadily', 'peaking at', 'rose gradually', and 'rose drastically' demonstrate a good command of descriptive language suitable for reporting data. The terminology used, such as 'metric tonnes' and 'per capita', is precise and contextually appropriate. While the vocabulary is functional and accurate, incorporating a few more sophisticated synonyms or varied collocations could elevate the response further, but the current range is more than adequate for a high band score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The response displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as the use of participial phrases and subordinate clauses (e.g., 'before declining significantly', 'before it peaked at'). The majority of sentences are error-free, and the control over punctuation is excellent. There is a minor grammatical slip in the sentence 'before it peaked at', where 'it' lacks a clear singular antecedent, but this does not impede communication. Overall, the grammatical accuracy is high, and the range of structures used is sufficient to convey the information clearly and professionally.

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