Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-09-30

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 chart track changes in average carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions per person in the United Kingdom (UK), Sweden, Italy and Portugal from 1967 to 2007, with figures measured in metric tonnes.

Overall, it is evident that Portugal showed an upward trend throughout the period, whereas the UK moved in the opposite direction, declining consistently. Meanwhile, Sweden experienced several fluctuations and continued to decrease, until the final year.

Turning to the UK and Portugal, at the outset, both stood at 11 and 1.5 metric tonnes, respectively. The UK then remained almost unchanged, while Portugal continued to rise reaching almost 2.1 metric tonnes of CO2 emissions, by 1977. Moreover, the UK started to fell gradually from almost 11 metric tonnes to roughly 9 metric tonnes of CO2 emissions, by the end of the period. Following this, Portugal recorded an increase and peaked at 5.5 metric tonnes of CO2 emissions, over the period.

With regard to Italy and Sweden, in 1967, Italy accounted for almost 4.2 metric tonnes, compared with approximately 9 metric tonnes for Sweden. After a decade, Sweden then rose steadily and peaked at roughly 10.2 metric tonnes, whereas Italy experienced a constant rise reaching approximately 6.2 metric tonnes. By 2007, Italy peaked at around 7.8 metric tonnes and Sweden nosedived to around 5 metric tonnes.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The student successfully addresses all parts of the task by presenting an overview of the trends and reporting key data points across the four countries. A clear overview is provided in the second paragraph, highlighting the contrasting trajectories of Portugal, the UK, and Sweden. Key features are selected and compared, such as the UK starting at the highest emission level and declining to 8.7 metric tonnes by 2007, while Portugal experienced a consistent upward trend. Minor data inaccuracies occur in the text, such as stating that the UK began at '11' metric tonnes when the chart shows 10.8, and minor confusions around peak dates (e.g., stating Italy peaked in 2007 when emissions remained stable from 1997), but these do not detract from the overall adequacy of the response. The requirements of Task 1 are met well, warranting a solid Band 7.0.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response is logically organised with a clear introduction, an overall summary paragraph, and two body paragraphs grouping the countries effectively (UK and Portugal, followed by Italy and Sweden). Cohesive devices are used reasonably well, such as 'Turning to the UK and Portugal', 'Meanwhile', and 'With regard to Italy and Sweden'. However, referencing and progression are occasionally clunky; phrases like 'Following this, Portugal recorded an increase' create slightly confusing chronological links within the paragraph. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate different groups of data, supporting a coherent overall arrangement. Cohesion is sometimes mechanical, but logical flow is maintained throughout, placing this securely at Band 6.5.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The student demonstrates an adequate and generally appropriate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully employing terms such as 'upward trend', 'fluctuations', 'constant rise', and 'nosedived'. There are occasional lapses in word choice and phrasing, such as 'started to fell' (grammatical error spilling into lexical choice) and slightly imprecise descriptions. However, less common vocabulary is attempted with some success (e.g., 'nosedived', 'outset'). Spelling and word-choice errors are minor and do not impede communication. The lexical resource displayed is sufficient for flexibility and precision, aligning with the Band 6.5 descriptors.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

The response features a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating attempts at subordination and relative clauses ('whereas the UK moved in the opposite direction, declining consistently'). However, several grammatical errors are present, most notably 'The line chart track changes' (subject-verb agreement), 'The UK started to fell' (incorrect infinitive form), and some awkward prepositional phrasing. Punctuation is generally acceptable, but errors in verb forms recur. Because complex structures are attempted and communication is never impeded despite frequent minor slips, this performance fits the Band 6.0 criteria.

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