Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-09-22
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 6.0)
The graph illustrates average carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions per person in four countries between 1967 and 2007 which is the United Kingdom, Sweden, Italy and Portugal. Overall, Carbon dioxide emission in the United kindgom and Sweden experienced a decline while Italy and Portugal experienced growth over the years.
To commence with, the United Kingdom during the year 1967 had the highest carbon emission about 11 metric tonnes and it gradually declined and reached 9 metric tonnes in the year 2007. Moreover, Sweden had carbon emission about 8.5 metric tonnes at the first and it experienced fluctuation and reached 10.5 metric tonnes at the year 1977 and eventually reached 5.5 metric tonnes at the end of the year 2007.
On the other hand, Italy and Portugal had overall rose in the number of carbon emission over the year. Both of the country had significant fluctuation of carbon emission over the years as Italy start at 4.5 metric tonnes at the year 1967 and eventually end at 7.5 metic tonnes after 4 decades while Portugal had carbon emission about 1.6 metric tonnes and reached 5.5 metric tonnes at the year 2007 which is same as Sweden end number demonstrated in the graph.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 6.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5
The student covers all four countries and provides a clear overview identifying the general trends (UK and Sweden decreasing, Italy and Portugal increasing). Main features are selected and reported, such as the UK starting highest at around 11 metric tonnes and declining to 9, and Portugal rising from 1.6 to 5.5 metric tonnes. Data points are generally accurate and supported by comparisons, such as noting that Portugal's final figure matches Sweden's end number. However, some minor inaccuracies exist in the precise figures (e.g., UK in 1967 was 10.8, stated as 'about 11'). Overall, the task is well addressed, earning a band 7.0.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The response is logically organised with a clear introduction, body paragraphs for the declining countries, and a final paragraph for the rising countries. Cohesive devices are used adequately ('Overall', 'To commence with', 'On the other hand'), although paragraphing could be slightly refined to separate the four countries more balanced. Referencing is generally clear, though some phrasing feels a bit mechanical. Logical progression is maintained throughout, fitting the Band 6.5 to 7.0 profile well, securing a solid 6.5.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for the task, successfully employing terms like 'emission', 'decline', 'fluctuation', and 'growth'. There are some awkward lexical choices or minor errors, such as 'overall rose' instead of 'overall rise', 'metric tonnes' misspelled as 'metic tonnes' once, and 'at the first' instead of 'initially'. Less common vocabulary is attempted with reasonable success, but occasional word choice and collocation errors place it firmly at Band 6.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, such as relative clauses ('which is the United Kingdom...') and compound sentences. There are several grammatical and punctuation errors, including tense inconsistencies ('Italy start' instead of 'started') and awkward preposition usage ('at the year 1977' instead of 'in 1977'). While these errors do not impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent the score from reaching Band 6.5. Control is sufficient for a Band 6.0.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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