Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-09-10

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 line graph illustrates the average of carbon dioxide emissions per person between 1967 and 2007 in united kingdom, Sweden, Italy and Portugal .

The graph demonstrates the carbon dioxide in metric tonnes, and different design of lines describes the countries.

In 1967 the United kingdom average carbon dioxide emission is 11 metric tone which is the highest but from 1977 it gradually fall till 2007 . Whereas in Sweden emission of carbon dioxide is 9 metric tone and gradually rise at 11 in one year but from 1977 to 1987 the graph shows a sudden fall and it continue till the end of 2007.

As we saw in the graph Italy carbon dioxide emission 1967 was 5 metric tonnes and gradually rise with the little bump in 1987 to 2007, however in Portugal the emission in carbon dioxide is diminish but with time it gradually increase at 1977 and than get steady tell 2007.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers all four countries and the time period, identifying the main trends. However, the analysis is somewhat superficial. For example, the description of the UK's decline is accurate, but the explanation of Sweden's trend is confusingly phrased, and the comparison between countries is limited. The report lacks a clear overview, which is essential for Task 1. While the main features are mentioned, the lack of a summary paragraph that highlights the most significant trends (such as the overall downward trend for the UK and Sweden versus the upward trend for Italy and Portugal) prevents a higher score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is organized into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is mechanical and sometimes inaccurate. Phrases like 'As we saw in the graph' are informal and unnecessary. The transition between sentences is often abrupt, and the logical progression of ideas is hindered by awkward phrasing. For instance, the shift from describing the UK to Sweden lacks a smooth transition. The paragraphing is present but the internal flow within paragraphs needs more sophisticated linking words to connect the data points effectively.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks precision and variety. There are several instances of incorrect word choice, such as 'tone' instead of 'tonnes', 'diminish' used as a verb where an adjective or noun phrase was needed, and 'tell' instead of 'until'. The range of vocabulary is limited to basic descriptive terms like 'rise' and 'fall'. To improve, you should incorporate more precise academic vocabulary to describe trends, such as 'fluctuated', 'peaked', or 'remained stable', and ensure correct spelling and word forms.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains a mix of simple and some attempted complex structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Issues include missing articles (e.g., 'in united kingdom'), incorrect verb tenses (e.g., 'emission... is 11' instead of 'was 11'), and subject-verb agreement errors. Punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly with capitalization and spacing. While the meaning is generally understandable, the high frequency of errors in basic grammar prevents the response from reaching a higher band. Focusing on sentence construction and proofreading for basic errors would be beneficial.

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

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