Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-09-18

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 graph illustrates the average amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) emitted per person in four countries—the United Kingdom, Sweden, Italy and Portugal—over a 40-year period from 1967 to 2007.

Overall, It has been observed that in Portugal and Italy gradually rising carbon dioxide emission. However, in United Kingdom and Sweden shows declaing the emissions of the carbon dioxide.

In Portugal and Italy, year of 2007 consider approximately 5.5 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide emission. Furthermore, from 1967 to 1987 shows state increasing in Portugal. Apart from that, Italy has also rose in 1977 then gradually reaching around 8 metric tonnes.

In United Kingdom and Sweden, period of over 40 year United Kingdom emission is approx 7 metric tnnes and Sweden has approximately 6 metric tonnes. In United Kingdom emission of carbon dioxide gradually falling. However, Sweden climbe in 1977 and after that highly declining to the year of 2007.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The student attempts to address the prompt by describing the main trends in the line graph, such as the rising emissions in Portugal and Italy versus the declining trends in the UK and Sweden. However, the task achievement is hindered by inaccuracies and vagueness in reporting data. For instance, stating that Portugal and Italy in 2007 'consider approximately 5.5 metric tonnes' is factually incorrect, as Italy's emission was 7.6 metric tonnes. Furthermore, the overview lacks precision and the selection of data points is erratic and sometimes confusing. While some main features are outlined, the lack of accurate data interpretation prevents the response from reaching a higher band score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The essay is divided into paragraphs, which helps establish a basic structure including an introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs split by countries. However, logical progression is frequently disrupted by poor cohesion and abrupt transitions. Sentences such as 'Apart from that, Italy has also rose in 1977 then gradually reaching' display awkward linking and referencing. The overall organisation shows an attempt to group information logically, but mechanical errors in linking devices and unclear pronoun referencing make the flow difficult to follow at times.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary used is relatively basic and repetitive, with frequent reliance on simple terms like 'rising', 'declining', and 'emission'. There are noticeable lexical inaccuracies and awkward word forms, such as 'declaing' (declining), 'state increasing' (steady increase), and 'climbe' (climbed). While the student attempts less common vocabulary, control is weak and word choices often impede natural expression, keeping the lexical score at a modest level.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 4.5

The essay demonstrates a very limited range of grammatical structures, relying heavily on simple sentences or flawed complex constructions. There are frequent grammatical errors throughout the text, including subject-verb agreement issues ('United Kingdom and Sweden shows declaing'), missing prepositions, and incorrect verb tenses ('Italy has also rose'). Punctuation and sentence construction are weak, with several fragment sentences or run-on clauses that require effort from the reader to decode.

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

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