Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)

The line graph illustrates the average amount of carbon dioxide emissions per person in different countries which are, United Kingdom, Sweden, Itlay and Portugal from the year 1967 to 2007.

Overall, the United Kingdom and Sweden both reduced their average numbers. However, the United Kingdom maintained highest emissions among all. While Sweden experienced a drastic decrease in numbers. In contrast, Portugal accounted for a dramatic increased numbers and reached the same levels with Sweden.

In 1976, the average carbon dioxide emissions per person was about 11 tonnes in the United Kingdom which declined to around 8.5 tonnes. Moreover, in Sweden the average figures were approximately 8.5 tonnes in 1967 and slightly rose to near 11 tonnes in 1977 and sharply dropped to around 5 tonnes.

Italy was around 4.25 tonnes in 1967 and moderately increased to about 6.5 tonnes. In addition, Portugal was about 1 tonne in 1967 and sharply increased to almost 5.5 tonnes.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The response covers all four countries and spans the given timeframe from 1967 to 2007, fulfilling the basic requirements of Task 1. An overview is provided, highlighting the main trends such as the decreases in the UK and Sweden, the dramatic increase in Portugal, and the consistent dominance of the UK. However, some data points are inaccurate or poorly supported; for instance, the writer states 'In 1976...', which misreads the start year of 1967 on the graph, and a few of the starting and ending figures contain minor inaccuracies. Despite these flaws, the key features and main comparisons are adequately presented, aligning well with the descriptors for Band 6.5 or a solid Band 6.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, beginning with an introduction, followed by an overview paragraph, and then breaking down the specific country data into body paragraphs. Cohesive devices are used, such as 'Overall', 'However', and 'In contrast', though some transitions feel slightly mechanical or repetitive ('In addition', 'Moreover'). Referencing is generally clear, and the overall progression is coherent, guiding the reader smoothly through the comparative data. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate general trends from specific statistical details, satisfying the criteria for Band 6.0.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The student demonstrates an adequate vocabulary range for the task, attempting some less common lexical items such as 'drastic decrease', 'moderately increased', and 'sharply dropped'. However, there are noticeable spelling and word-choice errors, such as 'Itlay' (Italy), 'increased numbers' instead of 'increases in numbers', and a confusion over years ('1976' instead of '1967'). These vocabulary slips do not impede communication, but they restrict the lexical score to a Band 6.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

The response exhibits a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as 'While Sweden experienced a drastic decrease in numbers' and 'the average carbon dioxide emissions per person was about 11 tonnes... which declined to around 8.5 tonnes.' There are some grammatical errors, such as subject-verb agreement issues ('emissions... was') and awkward phrasing like 'accounted for a dramatic increased numbers'. Nonetheless, these errors are relatively infrequent and rarely impede overall understanding, fitting comfortably into the Band 6 descriptor.

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

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