Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-10-04

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 5.0)

This graph illustrate average carbon dioxide emission per person in the United kingdom, Sweden, Italy and Portugal between 1967 and 2007. In 1967 UK shows the highest rate and it gradually decreases with passage of time. Sweden reaches its peak in 1977 and then decreases while rate in Italy and protugal increases from 1967 to 2007. Sweden and Protugal have same rate in 2007. Only Italy and Protugal rate increases with time. Sweden show fluctuation through out the record.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.0

The response fails to meet the minimum length requirement, containing only 65 words instead of the required 150 words (with 14 words copied directly from the prompt discounted). Consequently, the response responds to the task only minimally. While it attempts to identify some main features such as the UK having the highest rate in 1967 and Portugal's upward trend, the overview is extremely abbreviated, and several data points are either omitted or generalized inaccurately. For instance, the claim that 'only Italy and Portugal rate increases with time' overlooks Sweden's increase between 1967 and 1977. To improve, the student must write a fully developed response of at least 150 words that covers all major trends and comparisons present in the visual data.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5

The text demonstrates some basic organization, using simple transitional phrases like 'In 1967' and 'then decreases' to sequence the information. However, there is no clear overall progression or paragraphing, as the entire response is condensed into a single brief block. Cohesive devices are minimal and repetitive, and referencing is sometimes unclear, making the relationships between ideas difficult to follow. To achieve a higher band score, the writer needs to structure the response into logical paragraphs—such as an introduction, an overview, and distinct body paragraphs for detailed comparisons—and employ a wider variety of cohesive devices to link ideas smoothly.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The vocabulary used is basic and repetitive, utilizing standard terms like 'average', 'carbon dioxide emission', 'rate', and 'increases'. There are noticeable spelling and word-form errors, such as 'protugal' instead of Portugal, 'show' instead of shows, and 'through out' instead of throughout, which demonstrate a limited command of lexical control. To improve, the student must expand their range of vocabulary beyond simple repetition and pay closer attention to spelling and word forms. Using more sophisticated synonyms and precise reporting verbs would elevate the lexical quality of the writing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response features a very limited range of sentence structures, relying entirely on simple sentences and basic subject-verb-object patterns. There are frequent grammatical errors, including subject-verb agreement issues ('This graph illustrate', 'UK shows', 'Sweden show'), missing articles ('in United kingdom'), and prepositional errors ('with passage of time'). These errors are frequent and occasionally cause difficulty for the reader. To improve, the student needs to incorporate a mix of complex sentence structures and ensure greater accuracy with verb tenses, third-person singular agreements, and article usage.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

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