Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · 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 6.5)

The line graph gives information about the average carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions per person in the United Kingdom, Sweden, Italy and Portugal from 1967 to 2007. Units are measured in metric tonnes.

Overall, the average carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of the the Italy and Portugal showed a steady but significant rise over the period, while the percentage of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the United Kingdom experienced a downward trend.

To begin with, regarding United Kingdom, the carbon dioxide emissions stayed around at 11 metric tonnes in 1967. After the next 20 years, emissions declined slightly to approximately 10 metric tonnes in 1987. Over the following 20 years, emissions decreased modestly to nearly 9 metric tonnes in 2007. Moving on to Sweden, carbon dioxide emissions stayed at around 8.6 metric tonnes in 1967. Over the next 10 years, emissions rocketed sharply around to 10.3 metric tonnes in 1977. After that, emissions dropped dramatically approximately to 7 metric tonnes in 1987. After the next 20 years, emissions dipped modestly to 5.3 metric tonnes in 2007.

Moving on to Italy, carbon dioxide emissions stayed at around 4.2 metric tonnes in 1967. Over the next 30 years, emissions increased steadily to reach around 7.8 metric tonnes in 1997. After that, the emissions remained stable at roughly 7.8 metric tonnes up to 2007. Finally, regarding Portugal, carbon dioxide emissions stayed at a low level of around 1.2 metric tonnes in 1967. Over the next 30 years, emissions grew continuously to reach approximately 5.3 metric tonnes in 1997. After that, the emissions leveled off and reached around 5.5 metric tonnes by 2007.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The student successfully covers all four countries and traces the trends across the entire 40-year period from 1967 to 2007. The overview is generally clear, capturing the upward trends in Italy and Portugal and the downward trend in the UK, although referring to emissions as 'percentage of carbon dioxide' in the overview is slightly inaccurate for metric tonnes. Key features and comparisons are well selected, such as noting the UK's high starting point, Sweden's peak in 1977, and Portugal's low initial level growing continuously. The figures cited closely match the source data. The response meets all core requirements for Task Achievement, earning a solid Band 7.0 for its clear overview and well-reported main features.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The report is logically organised with a clear introduction, an overview paragraph, and well-structured body paragraphs dedicated to different groups of countries. Cohesive devices such as 'To begin with', 'Moving on to', and 'After that' are used to guide the reader through the data, although some transitional phrases feel slightly formulaic. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the introduction/overview from the detailed body paragraphs. Referencing is mostly clear, though there is a minor error in the overview ('the the Italy'). Overall, the logical progression and clear arrangement of information warrant a Band 7.0.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The student demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary for the task, successfully employing less common verbs and adverbs to describe trends, such as 'rocketed sharply', 'dropped dramatically', and 'leveled off'. However, there are occasional inaccuracies in word choice or collocation, such as 'the the Italy' and the misuse of 'percentage' instead of volume or amount in the overview. While there are some minor slips, the vocabulary used is precise enough to convey the trends clearly, supporting a Band 6.5 descriptor.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The response features a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, using time clauses and prepositional phrases effectively (e.g., 'Over the next 30 years, emissions increased steadily...'). There are frequent error-free sentences, and control of past tense verbs is generally good. However, minor awkwardness appears occasionally, such as 'stayed around at' and 'rocket sharply around to'. Punctuation is generally sound. Because there is a good variety of structures with a high proportion of error-free sentences, this performance comfortably meets the criteria for Band 7.0.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.