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 given line graph illustrates the average CO2 emissions per person between years 1967 and 2007 in United Kingdom (UK), Sweden, Italy and Portugal.
Overall, it can be observed that UK has had the had the highest average CO2 emissions per person. Another trend to be observed is that UK and Sweden had a drop in emmisions by 2007, while Itay and Portugal had a surge.
Firstly, UK displays a gradual decrease in the average emissions, starting from 11 metric tonnes in 1967, which was also the highest and coming down to 7 metric tonnes in 2007. Also, Sweden displays a similar trend of having 9 metric tonnes in 1967 and finally dropping to 5 in 2007. It also had a year of surge in 1977, where it reached 10 metric tonnes but started sloping downwards every following year.
On the other hand, Italy has a surge of average emmisions through the years. Beginning at 4 metric tonnes in 1967 and climbing just below 8 metric tonnes in 1997, which it maintained till 2007. Finally, Portugal had average CO2 emmisions per person in 1967 to be 1, that is the lowest, which surged to 5 metric tonnes in 2007.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.0 |
| Overall | 6.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5
The student successfully covers all four countries and provides an overview highlighting the main overall trends, such as the decreases in the UK and Sweden versus the increases in Italy and Portugal. Key features are selected and reported, including starting and ending points. However, some data points are slightly inaccurate or rounded loosely compared to the source text, such as stating the UK started at 11 and came down to 7 (actual: 10.8 to 8.7), and Sweden starting at 9 and dropping to 5 (actual: 8.6 to 5.4). While absolute precision is not strictly required, these approximations are a bit loose. Nevertheless, the response clearly addresses all parts of the task and meets the requirements for a Band 6.5 to 7.0, supported by an effective overview.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0
The response is logically organized with a clear introduction, an overall summary paragraph, and two body paragraphs separating the decreasing trends from the increasing trends. Cohesive devices are used reasonably well, such as 'Overall', 'Firstly', and 'On the other hand'. However, referencing and progression can occasionally feel slightly mechanical. Paragraphing is used appropriately to group related information, ensuring the overall arrangement is coherent. Minor improvements in transition words would elevate the score, but the structure is generally clear and easy to follow, aligning well with Band 6.0 to 6.5 descriptors.
Lexical Resource: Band 6.0
The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully using terms like 'illustrates', 'gradual decrease', 'surge', and 'average emissions'. There are some spelling and lexical errors, notably 'emmisions' (spelled with a double m twice) and 'Itay' instead of Italy. Less common vocabulary is attempted with some success, but minor inaccuracies in word choice and spelling prevent a higher score. Overall, the lexical range is sufficient to communicate the information clearly, matching the Band 6.0 criteria.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0
The writer uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, such as 'The given line graph illustrates...' and '...which was also the highest and coming down to 7 metric tonnes in 2007.' There are occasional grammatical errors and awkward phrasings, such as 'had the had the highest' in the second paragraph, and 'had average CO2 emmisions per person in 1967 to be 1'. Punctuation is generally acceptable, but sentence structures occasionally lack smooth integration. The errors do not impede communication, placing the response solidly in the Band 6.0 category.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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