Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · 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 8.5)

The line graph compares the average per capita carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions across four European countries—the United Kingdom, Sweden, Italy, and Portugal—over a 40-year period from 1967 to 2007.Overall, the United Kingdom and Sweden experienced downward trends in CO2 emissions per person, whereas Italy and Portugal saw steady increases. Despite its decline, the UK remained the largest emitter throughout the entire period.In 1967, the UK had the highest per capita emissions at approximately 11 metric tonnes. This figure decreased gradually to just under 9 metric tonnes by 2007. Sweden initially saw a sharp rise from about 8.5 metric tonnes in 1967 to a peak of just over 10 metric tonnes in 1977. However, Swedish emissions subsequently experienced a significant and continuous decline, dropping to around 5.5 metric tonnes in 2007.Conversely, emissions in Italy and Portugal grew steadily over the four decades. Italy’s emissions began at just over 4 metric tonnes in 1967 and climbed steadily to plateau at around 7.5 metric tonnes from 1997 to 2007, overtaking Sweden in the mid-1980s. Portugal started with the lowest emissions at approximately 1 metric tonne, but experienced a consistent upward trajectory, eventually reaching about 5.5 metric tonnes by 2007, which leveled it with Sweden's ending figure.Would you like me to analyze the vocabulary used here or break down how to structure an effective overview for other Task 1 graphs?

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

The response is excellent. You have successfully identified all key features of the graph, including the overall trends and specific data points for each country. The overview clearly contrasts the downward trends of the UK and Sweden with the upward trajectories of Italy and Portugal. You have also made relevant comparisons, such as noting when Italy overtook Sweden and highlighting the convergence of Portugal and Sweden by 2007. The data is accurately reported and supports your summary effectively. There are no omissions, and the information is presented in a logical, analytical manner that fully satisfies the requirements of an Academic Task 1 response.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The response is well-structured with a logical progression of ideas. You have used a clear introduction, a concise overview, and two body paragraphs that group the countries by their respective trends. Cohesive devices such as 'whereas', 'despite', 'subsequently', and 'conversely' are used naturally to link ideas and show relationships between the data sets. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate the different trends, making the information easy to follow. The flow of information is smooth throughout, and there is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive referencing.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.5

You demonstrate a wide and sophisticated range of vocabulary, which is used with precision. Phrases such as 'downward trends', 'upward trajectory', 'consistent upward trajectory', and 'leveled it with' show a high level of lexical control. You have successfully avoided repetition by using varied terminology to describe the movement of the lines on the graph. The use of 'metric tonnes' and 'per capita' is appropriate for the context. There are no errors in word choice or collocation, and the language is natural and academic in tone.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

The response exhibits a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences with subordinate clauses and participial phrases. The accuracy is very high, with virtually no grammatical errors. Punctuation is handled correctly, and the sentence variety keeps the writing engaging. You have used a mix of simple and complex forms effectively to convey the data clearly. The control over tense and aspect is consistent, and the overall grammatical construction is error-free, reflecting a high level of proficiency.

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