Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-09-03

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 graph illustrate the average carbon dioxide emissions per person in the United Kingdom, Sweden, Italy and Portugal between 1967 and 2007.

Overall the United Kingdom and Sweden decreased the carbon dioxide emission while the carbon dioxide emission increased in Italy and Portugal.

The United Kingdom has lowered the carbon dioxide emission from 11 to 9 and the Sweeden shows different pattern, firstly it increases from 8 to 10 and then decreased by 5 .

Italy has the carbon dioxide emission 4 in 1967 and increase around 8 by 2007 same as the portugal increase from 0 to 5 by 2007.

There is big difference between portugal, Sweeden whose carbon dioxide emission is much lower as compared to United Kingdom.

United Kingdom has highest carbon dioxide emission at 2007. Whereas the sweden control their carbon dioxide emission by 2007 but there is fluctuations between 1977 and 1987.

Overall Sweeden and Portugal has same carbon dioxide emission in 2007.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main features of the graph, identifying the trends for all four countries. However, the analysis is somewhat superficial and contains factual inaccuracies based on the provided data. For instance, stating that Portugal increased from '0 to 5' is inaccurate, as the starting point is clearly above zero. Additionally, the claim that the UK had the highest emissions in 2007 is incorrect, as the graph shows Sweden and the UK at similar levels, and the statement that Sweden and Portugal had the same emissions in 2007 is not supported by the visual data. The summary lacks a clear, analytical overview of the comparative trends.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is organised into paragraphs, but the logical flow is hindered by repetitive sentence structures and a lack of sophisticated cohesive devices. While there is an attempt to use transition words like 'Whereas' and 'Overall', the connection between sentences is often mechanical. The referencing is sometimes unclear, particularly when comparing countries, which makes the progression of ideas feel disjointed. More variety in linking phrases would help the reader follow the comparisons more effectively.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task but remains quite basic and repetitive. Phrases like 'increased' and 'decreased' are used frequently without variation. There are also issues with word choice and collocation, such as 'Sweeden shows different pattern' (missing article) and 'control their carbon dioxide emission' (which is not the most precise way to describe a downward trend). To reach a higher band, you should incorporate more precise reporting verbs and nouns related to data trends, such as 'fluctuated', 'declined', or 'a significant reduction'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response relies heavily on simple sentence structures. While there are attempts at complex sentences, they often contain grammatical errors, such as 'The graph illustrate' (subject-verb agreement) and 'same as the portugal increase' (missing preposition and article). Punctuation is inconsistent, and there are frequent errors with articles and pluralisation (e.g., 'the Sweeden', 'the portugal'). These errors are noticeable and occasionally distract the reader, though they do not completely impede communication.

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

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