Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · 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 6.5)

The line graph tracks the emissions of carbon dioxide in metric tonnes by individuals in four different nations from the period 1967 to 2007.

Overall, it is clear that Portugal and Italy showed a considerable rise in CO2 emissions over the period, while the UK and Sweden declined gradually. United Kingdom stayed at the highest in the emission of gas by per person in all the years.

In detail, the United Kingdom began at nearly 11 metric tonnes in 1967, which then declined gradually to reach approximately 9 metric tonnes by the year 2007. Furthermore, Sweden had around 9 metric tonnes in 1967; it then climbed to just above 10 metric tonnes in 1977, and then considerably dropped to about 5 metric tonnes in 2007.

Portugal started from just above 1 metric tonne in 1967, and it then increased exponentially to reach nearly 3 metric tonnes by 1987. After that, it rose to roughly just under 6 metric tonnes by 2007. Similarly, around 4 metric tonnes were represented by Italy in 1967. The figure showed an upward trend to reach just below 8 metric tonnes in 1997, and subsequently Italy remained stable in the last year.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The student covers all parts of the task well, providing an accurate summary of the main features and trends in the line graph. An overview is successfully presented in the second paragraph, capturing the overall trajectory of the four nations (Portugal and Italy rising, UK and Sweden declining, and the UK remaining the highest). Key data points are accurately reported, such as the UK beginning near 11 metric tonnes and ending around 8.7 metric tonnes, and Sweden's peak in 1977. The comparisons between countries are relevant and clearly stated, fulfilling all requirements for a Band 7 performance.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response exhibits a clear overall progression and logical organisation. The writing is divided into logical paragraphs: an introduction, an overview, and two detailed body paragraphs. Cohesive devices such as 'Overall', 'In detail', 'Furthermore', and 'After that' are used to structure the information, although referencing is slightly awkward in places, such as 'Sweden had around 9 metric tonnes' (instead of emissions of around...). Overall, paragraphing is managed appropriately and the structure supports easy reading, aligning well with the Band 7 descriptors.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The student uses a sufficient range of vocabulary appropriate for an Academic Task 1 response, including terms like 'considerable rise', 'declined gradually', 'exponentially', and 'upward trend'. There are occasional slight inaccuracies or awkward collocations, such as 'emission of gas by per person' in the overview, but these do not impede communication. Less common lexical items are attempted with some awareness of style, placing the response solidly in the Band 6.5 to 7.0 range.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5

A mix of simple and complex sentence structures is used effectively throughout the text, including relative clauses and introductory prepositional phrases. There are several error-free sentences, alongside minor grammatical slips such as 'emission of gas by per person' and minor preposition choices. However, grammar and punctuation are controlled sufficiently well that meaning is never obscured or impeded, meeting the requirements for Band 7.

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

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