Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-10-02
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 line graph represents average greenhouse gas emissions per individual in the United Kingdom, Sweden, Italy and portugal from1967 to 2007.
Overall, it is crystal clear that most of the emissions of carbon dioxide by person was seen in United Kingdom as compared to other countries,it was highest throughout the given years.
At a fleeting glance, the carbon dioxide emissions ranged from 8 metric tonnes to 11 metric tonnes in United Kingdom and Sweden respectively. After a decade, the greenhouse gas emissions remained same in United Kingdom and declining in upcoming years, whereas in Sweden, it inclined by 2 metric tonnes and before reaching to 7 metric tonnes in 1987. Then, it was steadily declining year by year.
In the 1967 year, the carbon dioxide emissions per person were 1 metric tonnes and 4 metric tonnes in Portugal and Italy. After this year , both countries were increasing to reach 3 metric tonnes and 7 metric tonnes in 1987. After 10 years, Portugal and Italy remained same till 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 attempts to cover the main features of the line graph illustrating carbon dioxide emissions in four countries from 1967 to 2007. However, the task is only partially addressed because some of the data reported is inaccurate or imprecise, such as claiming the emissions ranged between 8 and 11 metric tonnes for the UK and Sweden initially, when the UK started at 10.8 and Sweden at 8.6. While an overview is attempted ('Overall, it is crystal clear that most of the emissions... was seen in United Kingdom'), the selection of data is sometimes confused, and some comparisons are vague. Ideas are presented but remain underdeveloped, and minor inaccuracies in data interpretation prevent the response from achieving a higher level.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The text demonstrates some organisation with a discernible introduction, overview, and body paragraphs, fulfilling basic structural requirements. However, there is no clear overall progression due to somewhat erratic referencing and awkward sequencing of ideas, especially in the body paragraphs. Cohesive devices are used, but sometimes inaccurately or mechanically, such as 'At a fleeting glance' and 'After a decade'. Paragraphing is attempted, but the grouping of details lacks logical flow between sentences and paragraphs, occasionally causing the reader to lose track of the temporal development.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
The vocabulary used is limited but minimally adequate to convey the basic topic of emissions and countries. There are noticeable lexical errors and awkward word choices, such as 'greenhouse gas emissions per individual' (where carbon dioxide is specifically tracked) and 'portugal' (capitalisation error), as well as phrasing like 'emissions of carbon dioxide by person was seen' and 'remained same'. Attempts to use less common vocabulary like 'inclined' or 'fleeting glance' lead to unnatural collocations or slight inaccuracies. Spelling and word choice errors do not completely block communication, but they restrict the response to this band level.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5
The writer uses a limited range of sentence structures, primarily relying on simple sentences alongside a few attempts at more complex forms. However, these attempts often contain faulty grammar or awkward phrasing, such as 'before reaching to 7 metric tonnes'. There are frequent errors in prepositions ('in the 1967 year'), articles ('the United Kingdom' is correctly used, but '1 metric tonnes' contains plural/singular mismatch), and verb forms/agreement ('both countries were increasing', 'emissions... was seen'). Punctuation and basic grammar errors occur throughout the text and cause some difficulty for the reader, though meaning can generally still be deciphered.
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