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 illustrates the information about emissions per person of carbon dioxide in four different countries between 1967 and 2007. the data has been calibrated in tonnes.
Overall, Italy and Portugal showed an upward trend, while United Kingdom and Sweden declined over the period.
At the first glance, it is lucid that from 1967, The Portugal increased steadily from almost one tonne carbon dioxide emissions per person to 5 tonnes. Moreover, there was a significant incline in the Italy from 4 to nearly 8 metric tonnes of emissions.
On further analysis, it is seen that While the Sweden, in 1967 stood at 9, in followed year it rose around 2 tonnes pollution. However, after that it decreased gradually and in 2007 it stood at 5 tonnes. The UK had more than all other countries emissions of carbon dioxide but during 40 years it decreased dramatically from 11 to 9.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.0 |
| Overall | 6.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5
The student covers all four countries and provides an overview identifying the main trends (upward for Italy and Portugal, downward for the UK and Sweden). Key data points are selected and reported, such as Portugal increasing from nearly one tonne to 5 tonnes, and the UK starting at the highest level of around 11 metric tonnes and decreasing to 9 (or 8.7). However, there are some minor inaccuracies in reading the precise data points, such as stating Sweden stood at 9 in 1967 when the chart shows 8.6, and the UK ending at 9 instead of 8.7. Despite these minor discrepancies, the main features and comparisons are appropriately identified, satisfying the requirements for Band 6.5 to 7.0. Because the response addresses all parts of the task with a clear overview and supporting data, a Band 6.5 is appropriate.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5
The text is organized into four paragraphs, including an introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs detailing specific country trends. Cohesive devices such as 'Overall', 'At the first glance', 'Moreover', and 'On further analysis' are used to structure the response, though some transitions feel slightly mechanical or awkward ('in followed year', 'after that'). Paragraphing is logical, separating the general overview from the detailed body points. However, referencing is occasionally imprecise or clunky, such as 'the Italy' or 'the Sweden'. The overall progression is clear enough to guide the reader through the data, leading to a Band 6.5 for coherence and cohesion.
Lexical Resource: Band 6.0
The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully using terms like 'emissions per person', 'upward trend', 'declined', and 'metric tonnes'. However, there are several lexical errors and unnatural word choices, such as 'the data has been calibrated in tonnes', 'increased steadily from almost one tonne carbon dioxide emissions', 'incline in the Italy', and 'pollution' used to mean emissions. There are also articles misused before country names ('the Italy', 'the Sweden'). These errors reflect a Band 6 level where vocabulary is sufficient for the task but contains noticeable inaccuracies in word choice and collocation.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0
The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, including subordinate clauses ('while United Kingdom and Sweden declined', 'While the Sweden... in followed year it rose'). However, there are frequent grammatical errors throughout the text, including missing articles ('emissions per person of carbon dioxide', 'The Portugal'), incorrect prepositions or phrasing ('in followed year', 'more than all other countries emissions'), and capitalization errors ('the United Kingdom' written as 'United Kingdom'). While these errors do not completely obscure the meaning, they are persistent enough to prevent the response from achieving a higher band, placing it firmly at Band 6.0.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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