Band 4.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.0 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-09-19

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 4.0)

The graph shows that the average carbon dioxide emissions per person in the some countries such as United kingdom, Sweden, Italy and Portugal . We emissions carbon dioxide per person between 1967 and 2007. Carbon dioxide emissions in Metric Tonnes . In 1967 the average of the carbon dioxide in Portugal is high and also high all the years and they reach above 4 in 2007 .In Italy the ratio of carbon dioxide started to 4 and reach to the 8 in 2007 . In Sweden the carbon dioxide in 1967 started to the 8 and high in 1977 they also the reach above than 10 and the next years they low down and reach more than 4 in 2007 . And the next country is united kingdom the ratio of the carbon dioxide is more than 10 and the next years they also be low down and reach to the more than 8.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.0

The response attempts to address the task by describing the carbon dioxide emissions for the United Kingdom, Sweden, Italy, and Portugal between 1967 and 2007. However, the overview is missing, and the information is presented in a fragmented and repetitive manner rather than a structured summary of main features. Furthermore, several data points are inaccurately reported; for instance, the writer states that Portugal's emissions were high in 1967, whereas the chart shows them starting at a low 1.2 metric tonnes. Similarly, the description of Sweden and Italy contains confusing phrasing. While some key trends are touched upon, the lack of an overarching summary, presence of inaccuracies, and limited development place this performance at Band 4.0.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 4.0

The text suffers from severe structural and cohesive deficiencies. There is no paragraphing, as the entire response is written as a single dense block of text, which makes navigation difficult. The progression of ideas is hindered by repetitive sentence openings and basic, mechanical cohesive devices like 'and the next years they also...'. Referencing is frequently unclear, creating confusion about which country or year is being discussed. Although basic conjunctions are used to link clauses, the overall arrangement lacks clear logical progression, corresponding to the descriptors for Band 4.0.

Lexical Resource — Band 4.0

The vocabulary used is very basic and repetitive, relying heavily on words like 'carbon dioxide', 'emissions', 'person', and 'reach'. There are notable lexical inaccuracies and awkward phrasing, such as 'the average of the carbon dioxide in Portugal is high' and 'they low down'. Less common vocabulary is virtually absent, and the student struggles with appropriate word formation and collocation. While basic items are adequate to convey the general topic, errors in word choice and repetition restrict the score to Band 4.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 4.0

The grammatical range is extremely limited, relying predominantly on simple sentences and clumsy attempts at complex structures that are frequently faulty, such as 'The graph shows that the average carbon dioxide emissions per person in the some countries such as United kingdom, Sweden, Italy and Portugal . We emissions carbon dioxide...'. Errors in tense usage, missing verbs, incorrect prepositions, and faulty punctuation are frequent and often obscure the intended meaning. Because errors pervade almost every sentence and impede smooth reading, the performance aligns with Band 4.0.

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