Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.5 · 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 7.5)
The provided line graph illustrates the average carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions per person in the United Kingdom, Sweden, Italy and Portugal over the period from 1967 to 2007.
Overall, it is readily apparent that while the United Kingdom and Sweden experienced a downward trend over the period, Italy and Portugal followed an upward pattern, with the remaining categories showing distinct variations.
A closer examination of the data reveals that in 1967, the United Kingdom stood at approximately 11 metric tonnes per person, which was considerably higher than Sweden at around 9 metric tonnes. Over the subsequent period, UK emissions decreased steadily, eventually reaching a low of approximately 9 metric tonnes by the end of the period. Conversely, Sweden exhibited a fluctuating trend, initially rising to a peak of around 10.5 metric tonnes in 1977 before declining to approximately 5.5 metric tonnes in 2007.
With regard to the remaining data, Italy commenced at just over 4 metric tonnes and underwent an upward pattern before settling at approximately 7.5 metric tonnes in the final stage. Meanwhile, Portugal started at around 1 metric tonne and increased steadily, reaching approximately 5.5 metric tonnes in 2007, though the overall distribution remained relatively distinct among all categories.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.5 |
| Overall | 7.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5
The student successfully covers all the key features of the provided line graph, making accurate comparisons between the four countries (United Kingdom, Sweden, Italy, and Portugal) over the 40-year period. An appropriate overview is provided in the second paragraph, capturing the main general trends such as the downward trajectories of the UK and Sweden versus the upward trends of Italy and Portugal. Key data points, such as the UK starting at 11 metric tonnes and Sweden peaking in 1977, are accurately selected and reported. The task is fully and effectively addressed, meeting all requirements of an Academic Task 1 response.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5
The response is logically organized with a clear overall progression. The essay is divided into appropriate paragraphs: an introduction, an overview, and two detailed body paragraphs that logically group the countries. Cohesive devices such as 'while', 'over the subsequent period', 'conversely', and 'meanwhile' are used effectively to guide the reader through the data. Referencing throughout the text is clear, and the logical sequencing ensures that information is easy to follow without any mechanical or awkward transitions.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.5
The student demonstrates a sufficient and appropriate range of vocabulary suitable for describing graphical data, utilizing terms such as 'downward trend', 'fluctuating trend', 'commenced', and 'metric tonnes'. There is some effective use of less common vocabulary like 'subsequent' and 'distribution'. Word choice and collocations are generally accurate, and although the range of vocabulary is somewhat standard for Task 1, it allows for precise reporting of the trends without noticeable errors that impede communication.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5
The writer employs a good variety of complex structures, such as concessive clauses ('while the United Kingdom and Sweden experienced a downward trend...') and relative or participial modifications ('which was considerably higher than Sweden...'). The majority of sentences are error-free, demonstrating strong control over grammar and punctuation. Minor slips are virtually absent, and the grammatical range successfully supports the clear and accurate communication of complex comparative data.
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