Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-09-04
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 5.0)
THE LINE GRAPH TRACKS AVERAGE CARBON DIOXIDE EMISSIONS PER PERSON IN THE KINGDOM, SWEDEN, ITALY, PORTUGAL BETWEEN 1967 AND 2007.
OVERALL, IT IS CLEAR THAT AVERAGE CARBON DIOXIDE EMISSION PER PERSON IN UK EXPERIENCED A DRAMATIC INCREASE .IN CONTRAST, PORTUGAL DECLINED OVERALL. WHILE SWEDEN AND ITALY REMAINED STABLE WITH SOME FLUCTUATIONS. UK WAS HIGHEST WEHREAS, PORTUGAL WAS LOWEST IN CARBON DIOXIDE EMISSIONS PER PERSON.
IN UK STARTED AT 1967 APPROXIMATELY 11. WHILE 19977 TO 1997 WAS STEADILY DECREASE AT AROUND 9. IN 2007 WAS FELL AROUND 8.5. SWEDEN TO BEGINS WITH AT ABOUT 8.3 IN 1967. WEHREAS IN 1977 TO 2007 IT ROSE FELL TO REACH A PEAK OF APPROXIMATELY 5.5.
ITALY BEGAN AT ABOUT 4 IN 1967. THEN 1977 TO 2007 IT ROSE SHARPLY TO REACH A PEAK OF 7.9. IN 19967 PORGUAL STARED AT 1. THEN 1977 TO 2007 STEADILY DECREASE AT AROUND 7.5. IN CONTRAST, UK HIGEST WHILE PORTUGAL LOWEST.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response covers the main features of the graph, such as the overall trends and the relative positions of the countries. However, the data reporting is inaccurate and confusing. For example, you state the UK 'experienced a dramatic increase' when the graph shows a decline, and your description of Portugal's trend is contradictory. The figures provided for the years (e.g., '19977') are often incorrect or misread from the graph. While you attempt to summarize the information, the lack of precision in data interpretation and the factual errors regarding the trends significantly hinder the task achievement.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The essay is organized into paragraphs, which is a positive step. However, the logical progression is weak. The use of cohesive devices is often mechanical or misused, such as the repetitive use of 'In contrast' and 'Whereas' at the start of sentences where they do not logically connect the ideas. Referencing is sometimes unclear, and the flow between sentences is disjointed. The structure is present, but the lack of clear, logical links between the data points makes the information difficult to follow.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The range of vocabulary is limited and repetitive. You rely on basic terms like 'increase', 'decrease', 'stable', and 'fluctuations'. There are also several spelling errors (e.g., 'WEHREAS', 'PORGUAL', 'STARED', 'HIGEST') and word choice issues that occasionally impede clarity. To reach a higher band, you need to use a wider range of vocabulary to describe trends, such as 'plummeted', 'gradual decline', or 'remained relatively constant', and ensure that spelling is accurate throughout the text.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains frequent grammatical errors, including missing articles ('In UK'), incorrect verb forms ('Sweden to begins with'), and sentence fragments ('In 2007 was fell around 8.5'). There is a lack of complex sentence structures, and the control over basic grammar is inconsistent. Punctuation is also problematic, with periods placed incorrectly within sentences. These errors are frequent and sometimes make the meaning difficult to interpret, which is characteristic of a lower band score.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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