Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-09-05
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 6.0)
The provided line graph illustrates the average carbon dioxide emissions per person in the United Kingdom, Sweden, Italy, and Portugal between 1967 and 2007.
Overall, it is seen that the United Kingdom is the leading carbon dioxide emitter, although its emission declined significantly over the period. Sweden experienced the most significant decrease in emissions. In contrast, Italy and Portugal were low emitters but recorded overall increases.
The United Kingdom had been emitting around 11 metric tons in 1967, but they have been controlling and in 2007, they had only about 9 metric tons which is a great improve. Sweden only emitted about 9 metric tons, but next year it hyped up to more than 10 metric tons, which had been constantly decreasing till 2007, where it reached little less than 6 metric tons. Italy and Portugal are only countries in the graph whose CO2 emission had increased dramatically from initial years. Italy had increased its emission by nearly 1.5 times while Portugal also multiplied its emission by nearly 5 times from 1967 to 2007.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 6.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0
The response covers all key features of the graph, including the overall trends and specific data points for the four countries. You successfully identified the downward trends for the UK and Sweden, and the upward trends for Italy and Portugal. However, the analysis is slightly hampered by some inaccuracies in data interpretation. For instance, stating the UK 'had been emitting' 11 metric tons in 1967 is a bit vague, and the description of Sweden's trend as 'hyped up' is informal and imprecise. To reach a higher band, ensure that data points are cited with greater precision and that the comparison between countries is more analytical rather than just listing figures.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5
The essay is logically organized into an introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs. The progression of ideas is clear, moving from general trends to specific country comparisons. You use some cohesive devices like 'In contrast' and 'Overall', which help the flow. However, the transition between the overview and the body paragraphs could be smoother. Additionally, some referencing is slightly mechanical, and the connection between sentences in the second body paragraph could be improved to avoid a list-like feel. Overall, the paragraphing is appropriate and the structure supports the reader's understanding.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'metric tons', 'emitter', and 'dramatically'. However, there are instances of imprecise or informal word choices, such as 'hyped up' and 'great improve' (which should be 'great improvement'). These errors slightly detract from the academic tone required for Task 1. To improve, focus on using more precise collocations and academic vocabulary to describe trends, such as 'fluctuated', 'peaked', or 'remained stable'. While the vocabulary is sufficient to convey the meaning, it lacks the sophistication and precision required for a higher band score.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as 'Italy and Portugal are only countries' (missing 'the'), 'great improve' (incorrect word form), and tense inconsistencies like 'had been emitting' when referring to a specific past year. While these errors do not impede communication, they are frequent enough to prevent a higher score. You should aim for more error-free sentences and ensure that verb tenses are used consistently when describing historical data. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and article usage will significantly enhance the accuracy of your writing.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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