Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)
The line graph illustrates average carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions per person in four different countries - The United Kingdom, Sweden, Italy and Portugal from 1967 to 2007.
Overall, The UK had the highest CO2 emissions throughout the period eventhough trend decreased, while Italy and Portugal experienced a marginal rise. Moreover, Sweden showed a plunged trend.
In 1967, the UK had the highest Co2 emission with almost 13 metric tonnes, maintaining a relatively stable trend for a decade. Afterwards the figure witnessed a major declined, reaching just above 8 metric tonnes in 2007. Sweden had approximately 9 metric tonnes of Co2 emissions in 1967, before a slightly rise to just above 10 in 1977. Subsequently, Sweden trend dropped steadily at 5 metric tonnes in 2007.
Looking at the figure of Italy, from 1967 to 1997 it recorded a drastical incline from just above 5 to just below 8 metric tonnes, after that it remained unchanged untill 2007. Finally Portugal, in 1967 it recorded for 1 metric tonnes and showed a drastical increased untill 1997 reaching 5 metric tonnes.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0
The student covers all parts of the task well, providing an overview of the main trends and selecting key data points to report and compare. The introductory paraphrase is accurate, and the overview captures the main differences between the countries. However, there are several inaccuracies in the specific data figures cited compared to the true graph values. For instance, the student states that the UK started at almost 13 metric tonnes in 1967 (actual is 10.8) and that Portugal started at 1 metric tonne (actual is 1.2), though some tolerance applies for visual reading. Furthermore, Sweden's peak in 1977 is described as 'just above 10' (actual is 10.3), which is acceptable, but the overall data precision is slightly loose. Despite these minor discrepancies, all four countries are addressed and key trends are identified, supporting a solid Band 6.5 to 7.0 performance.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is organized into four distinct paragraphs, following a logical structure with an introduction, an overall summary, and two body paragraphs detailing specific country data. Cohesive devices are used adequately, such as 'Overall', 'In 1967', 'Afterwards', 'Looking at the figure of Italy', and 'Finally Portugal'. However, referencing and transitions are at times mechanical or slightly abrupt, for instance starting a sentence with 'Finally Portugal, in 1967 it recorded for 1 metric tonnes and showed a drastical increased untill 1997'. Paragraphing is used sufficiently, and there is a clear logical progression throughout the text, meeting the requirements for a Band 6.0.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for the task, including terms like 'emissions', 'stable trend', 'remain unchanged', and 'plunged trend'. However, there are notable word-formation and collocation errors throughout the text, such as 'eventhough trend decreased', 'a major declined' (instead of decline), 'a slightly rise' (instead of slight rise), 'trend dropped steadily', 'drastical incline' (instead of drastic incline), and 'drastical increased' (instead of dramatic increase). These errors demonstrate weaker control of less common lexical items and word forms, placing the response firmly at Band 6.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, such as 'The line graph illustrates... from 1967 to 2007' and 'Sweden had approximately 9 metric tonnes... before a slightly rise...'. However, grammatical accuracy is inconsistent. There are frequent errors in verb forms, prepositions, and word classes, such as 'eventhough trend decreased' (missing article and tense issue), 'witnessed a major declined', 'before a slightly rise', 'Sweden trend dropped' (missing possessive 's'), 'recorded for 1 metric tonnes', and 'untill 1997' (spelling). While these errors do not severely impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent the response from achieving a Band 6.5, making Band 6.0 an appropriate descriptor.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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