Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-09-28
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 graph illustrates the emissions of carbon dixoide per person in the United Kingdom, Sweden, Italy and Portugal overa period of forty years between 1967 and 2007.
Overall, the significant upward trend in the emission of carbon dixoide in 1967 from above the 8 metric tones to above the 10 metric tones in 1977. Where as, the sharply downward trend in the United Kingdom started from above the 10 metric tones and constantly went down to above the 8 metric tones through out the tenure. Italy and Portugual follwed the went up trend during this forty years of period.
To begin with, Sweden grew from above the 8 metric tones to more than 10 metric tones overa decade between 1967 and 1977. Alternatively, United Kingdom slowly went down from above the 10 metric tones to around of 9 metric tones in 2007.
To be continued, Italy and Portugual constantly rose over the time as Italy beated the Portugual in emissions values as Italy had stable value then the Portugal over this period.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0
The student attempts to address the task by outlining general trends and specific movements for Sweden and the United Kingdom, such as Sweden's growth between 1967 and 1977 and the UK's downward trajectory. However, the response suffers from significant weaknesses in data reporting and task coverage. Italy and Portugal are mentioned superficially at the end ('Italy and Portugual constantly rose over the time'), but their specific data points and trajectories are poorly explained. Furthermore, the first body paragraph contains confused and contradictory overview statements regarding overall carbon dioxide emissions. Because key features are under-developed and some descriptions are inaccurate or confusingly phrased, the response meets the criteria for Band 5.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0
The essay attempts a traditional structure with an introduction, overall statement, and separate body paragraphs using transitional markers like 'To begin with' and 'To be continued'. However, 'To be continued' is an unnatural cohesive choice for academic writing. Furthermore, logical progression is disrupted by unclear referencing and fragmented paragraphs. The second paragraph groups disparate ideas together in a confusing manner, and the final paragraph uses conversational filler phrases rather than academic transitions. Paragraphing is attempted, but internal cohesion is frequently faulty and mechanical. This places the response firmly in Band 5.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
The student demonstrates a limited but minimally adequate vocabulary for the task, attempting words like 'emissions', 'upward trend', and 'downward trend'. However, there are numerous spelling errors throughout the text, including 'dixoide' (dioxide), 'tones' (tonnes), 'Where as' (Whereas), 'follwed' (followed), and 'beated' (beat/surpassed). Additionally, word choice and collocation are often awkward, such as 'went up trend' and 'stable value then the Portugal'. These lexical errors and limitations cause some difficulty for the reader, aligning with the Band 5 descriptors.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The writer attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, but control over grammar and sentence structure is weak. There are frequent grammatical errors, such as missing subjects, incorrect prepositions, and faulty verb forms (e.g., 'Sweden grew from above the 8 metric tones to more than 10 metric tones overa decade', 'Italy beated the Portugual in emissions values'). Punctuation is also problematic, with inappropriate sentence fragments like 'Where as, the sharply downward trend in the United Kingdom started...'. These persistent errors and awkward structures frequently cause difficulty for the reader, justifying a Band 5 score.
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.