Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-09-17
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 illustration gives information about carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions per person, on average in different European countries from 1967 to 2007. Overall, the United Kingdom was at the top over the years, but Swedon start at second place at the end in 2007, it decreased to reach the same level as Portugal.
It is quite evident from the graph that there were four different European countries' average emissions. At the beginning, the United Kingdom had the highest carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions at more than ten metric tonnes per person, but with the passage of time, it decreased to less than nine metric tonnes in 2007. Sweden is another country in the table and had the second-largest average per person, around nine metric tonnes, over the next ten years, it increased rapidly to reach more than ten metric tonnes.
Furthermore, Italy and Portugal were two countries who at different emission levels but increased and decreased by the same percentage over the years. Portugal was the lowest in the graph, at less than two metric tonnes.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The student attempts to address the prompt by summarising the main features of the line graph showing carbon dioxide emissions. An overview is attempted in the first paragraph, noting the UK's position at the top and mentioning Sweden and Portugal. However, the overview is slightly confused regarding Sweden's trajectory ('Swedon start at second place at the end in 2007, it decreased to reach the same level as Portugal'). Key data points are generally identified, such as the UK starting above ten metric tonnes and declining, but some details are inaccurate or vaguely expressed, such as Sweden's figures. The response is somewhat underdeveloped in its comparison of Italy and Portugal. Overall, it addresses the task partially, struggling with a fully clear and accurate overview.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The response is divided into three paragraphs, providing a basic structural layout of introduction, body paragraph, and conclusion/further details. However, the logical progression is hindered by awkward transitions and unclear referencing. For instance, the sentence 'Sweden is another country in the table and had the second-largest average per person, around nine metric tonnes, over the next ten years, it increased rapidly' contains a run-on structure and confusing time references. Cohesive devices are used minimally and sometimes inappropriately, such as starting the final paragraph with 'Furthermore'. Paragraphing is present but internal cohesion needs strengthening.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The student demonstrates an adequate vocabulary range to convey basic information about the graph, using terms like 'carbon dioxide emissions', 'metric tonnes', and 'highest'. However, there are noticeable spelling errors ('Swedon' for Sweden) and awkward word choices or collocations, such as 'countries who at different emission levels'. Less common lexical items are attempted but lack precision or accurate contextual usage. While the vocabulary is sufficient to communicate the general topic, repeated errors in word form and spelling restrict the score to a band 5.5.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The text contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but control over grammar is inconsistent. There are several run-on sentences and comma splices, notably in the overview ('...at the top over the years, but Swedon start at second place at the end in 2007, it decreased...') and within body paragraphs. Tense usage is generally consistent for past data, but agreement and verb forms show frequent errors, such as 'Swedon start' instead of 'started'. Punctuation is also faulty in places, which occasionally places strain on the reader, though overall meaning remains generally recoverable.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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