Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-09-06

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 7.0)

The given graph gives information about the average CO2 emissions per person in UK, Sweden, Italy, and Portugal between 1967 and 2007.

Overall, it is clear that CO2 emission in UK and Sweden fell over the period, while emissions in Italy and Portugal increased. It is also noticeable that the UK had the highest emissions for most of the period.

Looking first at the UK, the figure stood at about 10.7 tonnes in 1967 and then decreased gradually to around 8.7 tonnes in 2007. Meanwhile, Sweden started at approximately 8.7 tonnes and rose to just over 10 tonnes in 1977. However, it then fell considerably to about 5.5 tonnes by 2007.

Turning to Italy, emissions increased from around 4 tonnes in 1967 to about 6.2 tonnes in 1977 and then reached approximately 7.7 tonnes in 2007. Similarly, Portugal experienced an upward trend, rising from about 1 tonne to around 5.5 tonnes during the period.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response effectively addresses all parts of the task. You have provided a clear overview of the main trends, noting the divergence between the UK/Sweden and Italy/Portugal. Key features such as the UK's initial dominance and the steady growth in Portugal are highlighted with relevant data points. The information is accurate and well-selected, covering the entire period from 1967 to 2007. To reach a higher band, you could further refine the comparison by explicitly contrasting the final figures of the four countries in the conclusion or overview, rather than just listing them in the body paragraphs.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs that group the countries by their trends (declining vs. increasing). Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate these distinct groups. Cohesive devices such as 'Meanwhile', 'However', and 'Turning to' are used effectively to guide the reader through the data. The progression of ideas is smooth and easy to follow. The use of referencing is generally clear, though the flow could be slightly enhanced by using more varied linking phrases to connect the specific data points within the paragraphs.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey the information with precision. Phrases like 'upward trend', 'decreased gradually', and 'rose considerably' are used appropriately. There is a good awareness of style suitable for an academic report. While the vocabulary is accurate, it is somewhat standard. To achieve a higher score, you could incorporate more sophisticated collocations or less common lexical items to describe the fluctuations in the graph, such as 'plateaued', 'fluctuated', or 'a marginal increase'. Overall, the vocabulary is precise and error-free.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The response displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You have used a variety of grammatical forms, such as 'The given graph gives information...' and 'Similarly, Portugal experienced an upward trend, rising from...'. The sentences are generally error-free, and your control over punctuation and tense usage is strong. There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication. To move into the higher bands, you could experiment with more complex sentence structures, such as using passive voice or more varied subordinate clauses to describe the data trends.

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