Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-09-25

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 emission of carbon dioxide per person in the United Kingdom, Sweden, Italy, and Portugal between 1967 and 2007.

The vertical lines of the graph show carbon dioxide emissions in metric tones started from 0 to 12 tones and horizontal lines show years.

Overall, it is clear that that Italy and Portugal showed upward trend, while Sweden and United Kingdom experienced a decline. Italy recorded the highest figure in between 6 to 8 tones, whereas Sweden had major decline in 2007.

There would be a highest figure of United Kingdom in 1967, but in 2007 there would be decline in emission of carbon dioxide in it, however, there would Sweden counted highest figure in between 8 to 10 metric tones emissions in carbon dioxide but the country faced highest decline in 2007. Italy has considered lowest emissions of carbon dioxide in 1967 and then they increased in 1977 but in 1987 and 1997 they again fall.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

The student attempts to address the task by describing the main trends in the line graph, such as the upward trend for Italy and Portugal and the downward trend for the UK and Sweden. However, the response suffers from significant inaccuracies and confusion regarding specific data points. For example, the student states that Italy recorded the highest figure between 6 to 8 tonnes (whereas the UK started at nearly 11 tonnes) and incorrectly claims that Italy fell in 1987 and 1997 when the data clearly shows a steady rise. Furthermore, the body paragraphs lack clear selection and structuring of the most salient features. Consequently, the task is only partially addressed, earning a band score of 5.0.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response is organised into an introduction, an overview, and a body paragraph. However, the sequencing and progression of ideas within the body paragraphs are disjointed and difficult to follow. Expressions like 'There would be a highest figure' are awkward, and the connections between sentences rely heavily on repetitive cohesive devices such as 'however' and 'then'. Paragraphing is underutilised, as the bulk of the detailed data comparison is lumped into a dense, confusing second body paragraph. Referencing is sometimes unclear, leading to a score of 5.0.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

The student demonstrates a basic vocabulary sufficient to describe the visual data, using words such as 'emission', 'upward trend', 'decline', and 'figure'. However, there are notable lexical errors and inappropriate word choices, such as spelling 'tonnes' as 'tones' and writing 'fall' instead of 'fell'. The range of vocabulary is limited and repetitive, with frequent reliance on basic descriptors rather than precise lexical items suited for academic writing. This places the lexical resource at a band 5.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but control over grammar is weak. There are frequent grammatical errors, such as tense inconsistencies ('started from 0 to 12 tones and horizontal lines show years'), faulty modal usage ('There would be a highest figure'), and article errors. Subject-verb agreement and prepositional choice also show regular flaws. While meaning is occasionally decipherable, the frequency of grammatical errors causes noticeable difficulty for the reader, justifying a band score of 5.0.

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