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 carbon dioxide (CO2) emitted by individuals across different countries like the United Kingdom, Sweden, Italy and Portugal from 1967 to 2007.
Overall, the carbon dioxide emissions has growed alot in some countries, while the graph also shows a downtrend over the time period. Sweden is the country which has the highest number of people emitting carbon dioxide. On the other hand, Portugal ratio is the lowest.
Firstly, in italy and Portugal, the carbon dioxide emission is growing over time. portugal starting from almost zero to around 6 metric tonnes untill 2017. Similarly, Italy was at 4 metric tonnes of emission by individuals showing an upward trend to 8 metric tonnes over the period.
Secondly, the United Kingdom at its peak, started a downtrend from about 11 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide emissios to around 8 metric tonnes. Meanwhile, people emitting carbon dioxide in Swedan started growing from 8 metric tonnes to around 10 metric tonnes. Later a huge fall was observed from 10 metric tonnes to round about 5 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide emission.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0
The student attempts to cover the main trends in the graph, presenting an overview and reporting data for the four countries. However, there are significant factual inaccuracies in the data reporting. For instance, the student states that 'Sweden is the country which has the highest number of people emitting carbon dioxide', whereas the UK clearly starts at the highest level (around 10.8 metric tonnes). Furthermore, Sweden is incorrectly described as starting at 8 metric tonnes and growing to 10 before a fall, misinterpreting the timeline where Sweden fluctuated and ultimately declined. Portugal is stated to continue until 2017, although the chart ends in 2007. Because of these noticeable misreadings of the visual data and inaccurate comparisons, the task achievement is limited to a Band 5.0.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The response is organized into distinct paragraphs, including a brief introduction, an overall statement, and body paragraphs separated by sequence markers such as 'Firstly' and 'Secondly'. This gives the essay a visible structural framework. However, the logical progression is hindered by confusing transitions and unclear referencing. For example, expressions like 'Portugal ratio is the lowest' and the sudden introduction of countries in the body paragraphs lack smooth cohesive ties. Paragraphing is attempted, but internal cohesion is sometimes faulty or mechanical. This places the response comfortably at Band 5.5 for Coherence and Cohesion.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is relatively basic and repetitive, with several lexical errors and inappropriate word choices. Examples include 'growed alot' instead of 'grown significantly', 'downtrend over the time period', and 'Portugal ratio'. The student attempts some less common vocabulary such as 'emissions', 'upward trend', and 'peak', but these are often combined with imprecise phrasing or grammatical awkwardness. Spelling and word-choice errors are noticeable throughout the text, though they do not completely impede overall understanding. This level of lexical control matches the descriptors for Band 5.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The writer attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as relative clauses ('Sweden is the country which has...') and participial phrases. However, grammatical accuracy is weak, featuring frequent errors such as subject-verb agreement issues ('emissions has growed'), incorrect verb forms ('growed', 'starting' instead of 'started', 'untill'), and missing articles or prepositions ('in italy', 'portugal starting'). Despite these frequent errors, the meaning is usually retrievable, which aligns well with the criteria for Band 5.0.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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