Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-10-01
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 5.5)
The graph illustrates the comparison of average emission of carbon dioxide between 1967 and 2007 by each individual among four main states of the world.
Overall, it can be seen that United Kingdom had the highest level of carbon dioxide emission but it gradually decreased whereas, Portugal had the lowest level of carbon dioxide emission but it increased significantly. Italy and Portugal showed parallel trend, and Sweden experienced fluctuations throughout a period.
Initially, United Kingdom witnessed considerable increase in carbon dioxide emission approximately 10.9 metric tonnes but pattern decreased to 8.8 metric tonnes by 2007.
Portugal emitted the least amount of carbon dioxide in 1967, around 1.8 metric tonnes. However, it followed upward trend in 2007, reached to 5.8 metric tonnes.
At first, Sweden emitted above 8 metric tonnes in 1967 then it reached to 10.1 metric tonnes in 1977. Although it overlapped Portugal, emissions decreased by 2007.
Italy emitted approximately 4.2 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide then experienced an upward trend by surpassing Sweden in 1987. However, reached to 7.8 merric tonnes by 2007.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5
The response addresses the main features of the graph, presenting an overview and selecting data for all four countries. However, some aspects of the task are only partially covered or lack precision. For instance, the overview incorrectly claims that Italy and Portugal showed a 'parallel trend' when Italy started high and remained relatively stable while Portugal experienced continuous growth. Furthermore, some data points are inaccurate or poorly described, such as stating that the UK's emissions increased initially when the data shows a slight decline from 10.8 to 10.7 metric tonnes. Ideas are presented but remain limited and under-developed, preventing the response from reaching a higher band.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The response demonstrates some organisation with an introduction, an overview paragraph, and body paragraphs dedicated to specific countries. However, there is a lack of clear overall progression, and the logical links between sentences can be mechanical or abrupt, as seen in transitions like 'At first, Sweden...' and 'At last, Italy...'. Cohesive devices are sometimes used inaccurately or repetitively, and referencing is occasionally unclear, which disrupts the smooth flow of information. Paragraphing is attempted, but internal cohesion requires better management to guide the reader effortlessly through the comparisons.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
The vocabulary used is minimally adequate for the task, with an attempt to use less common items such as 'fluctuations', 'considerable increase', and 'upward trend'. However, there are noticeable errors in word choice, collocation, and word form, such as 'merric tonnes' (spelling), 'pattern decreased' instead of 'emissions decreased', and stating that Italy 'surpassed Sweden' when the lines actually crossed in a different context. These lexical inaccuracies and occasional spelling slips cause some difficulty for the reader and reflect a limited working vocabulary for this task type.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5
The writer uses a limited range of sentence structures, primarily relying on simple and straightforward complex forms. Attempts at more complex sentences are frequently marred by grammatical errors, particularly missing articles, awkward prepositions, and incorrect verb patterns (e.g., 'reached to 5.8 metric tonnes' instead of 'reached 5.8 metric tonnes', and missing articles before country names like 'United Kingdom'). There are frequent errors in tense usage and agreement that can cause some difficulty for the reader, though the meaning is generally still discernible.
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