Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-09-14
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 chart clearly demonstrates the carbon dioxide emission of per person in 4 different countries that are United Kingdom, Sweden, Italy and Portugal between the year 1967 and 2007. Overall, it is evident from chart that United Kingdom was the highest in emission among others with 11%. Italy and Portugal grows gradually between 1967 and 2007. However, carbon
dioxide emission in Sweden decrease rapidly between mention years.
Carbon dioxide emissions in United Kingdom remains same whereas Sweden, Portugal and Italy grows overall 2% in the year 1967 to 1977. In the year 1987, United Kingdom fall slightly but Sweden fall sharply around 7%. However, Italy and Portugal rise gradually in year 1987.
It can be seen that United Kingdom and Sweden both drops significantly between the year 1987 to 2007. Italy and Portugal rise significantly at a pace of 3% between the year 1987 to 2007.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response attempts to summarize the main features of the line chart regarding CO2 emissions in four countries. However, it falls short of the minimum length requirement of 150 words, containing only 147 words. While the candidate identifies the UK as having the highest emissions and notes general trends for Italy, Portugal, and Sweden, some data points and comparisons are inaccurate or confusing, such as stating emissions were '11%' instead of metric tonnes. Furthermore, the selection of data lacks precision and generalization is limited, which prevents the response from achieving a higher band score. Consequently, Task Achievement is penalised for the under-length issue and incomplete feature coverage.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is organized into three paragraphs, providing a basic structure with an introduction and two body paragraphs. However, the logical progression is hindered by repetitive phrasing and weak cohesive devices. For instance, transitional words like 'However' are overused or placed awkwardly (e.g., 'However, carbon dioxide emission in Sweden decrease rapidly...'). Paragraphing is attempted, but the internal cohesion within paragraphs is mechanical and sometimes unclear, resulting in a choppy reading experience. Referencing is occasionally imprecise, which disrupts the flow of information.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is relatively basic and repetitive, with frequent reliance on simple terms such as 'rise', 'fall', 'grows', and 'decrease'. There are noticeable word choice and collocation issues, such as 'emission of per person' instead of 'emissions per person' and confusing percentage figures with emission units. While the student attempts some less common vocabulary, inaccuracies in spelling and word formation are present, which restricts the lexical range to a minimally adequate level for completing the task.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The essay displays a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, but attempts at complex structures frequently contain grammatical errors. Examples include subject-verb agreement issues like 'United Kingdom remains same whereas Sweden, Portugal and Italy grows' and tense inconsistencies ('between mention years' instead of 'mentioned years'). Punctuation and article usage are also flawed in several places. Although these errors rarely completely impede communication, they occur with high frequency throughout the short text, placing the grammar firmly in the Band 5 category.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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