Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-10-05

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 chart illustrates about the average carbon dioxide emissions per person in four different country namely United Kingdom, Sweden, Italy and Portugal between 1967 and 2007.

Overall, the proportion of Itlay and Portugal has been gradually increased, while United Kingdom and Sweden was decreased over the period. In contrast, the carbon dioxide emissions per person was the highest in Uk, despite all other countries.

In 1967, the proportion of Portugal was accounted, at 1 metric tonnes, followed by approximately, at 5 tonnes in 1997, and levelled off at around 5.9 metric tonnes by the 2007. In addition, more then thrice, Itlay at just over 4 metric tonnes in 1967, followed by 6.1 metric tonnes by 1977. Furthermore, the proportion of carbon dioxide emissions per person was rose up to 7 metric tonnes by 1997 and remained stable by 2007.

Sweden had contributed nearly 8.3 tonnes in 1967, which surged with 10.1 tonnes by 1977. It plunged at 5.9 tonnes which was similar to the Portugal. The proportion of United Kingdom was the highest at 10.1 metric tonnes in 1967, it plummeted at around 8.1 metric tonnes by 2007, however Uk was the highest in carbon dioxide emissions.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

The response addresses the task only partially and struggles with accuracy in data reporting. While you attempt to provide an overview and summarize the main trends, several figures and data points are misread or poorly expressed. For example, you state that Portugal started at 1 metric tonne in 1967 and reached 5.9 tonnes by 2007, and that Italy started at over 4 tonnes and rose to 7 tonnes. Although some general trends are captured, the ideas remain limited and under-developed, and the selection of data lacks precision. To improve towards a higher band, you must ensure that key figures are reported accurately and that comparisons are supported with clear, correct data from the graph rather than vague approximations.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

There is some basic organization into paragraphs, including an introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs, but the response lacks a clear overall progression. Cohesive devices are used awkwardly or inaccurately, such as starting sentences with disconnected phrases like 'In addition, more then thrice' or 'It plunged at 5.9 tonnes which was similar to the Portugal.' Referencing and linking between sentences are frequently faulty, making the logical relationships between ideas difficult to follow. To achieve a higher score, you need to use cohesive devices more naturally and structure your sentences so that the progression of information flows smoothly from one point to the next.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

Your vocabulary is limited but minimally adequate to convey the basic topic of carbon dioxide emissions. However, there are noticeable errors in word choice, form, and collocation, such as referring to countries as 'country', using 'proportion' incorrectly to describe emission quantities, and spelling mistakes like 'Itlay' and 'Uk'. Phrases such as 'was increased' and 'was rose up' demonstrate a lack of control over word formation and voice. To lift your lexical score, you should expand your range of vocabulary related to trends and data description, paying closer attention to correct word forms and accurate collocations.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response displays a very limited range of sentence structures, and your attempts at complex sentences are frequently faulty. There are frequent grammatical errors, including incorrect verb tenses and passive/active voice confusion, such as 'United Kingdom and Sweden was decreased' and 'emissions per person was rose up'. Article usage and prepositions are also problematic throughout the text. These frequent errors cause some difficulty for the reader and prevent the grammar from reaching a higher level. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence structures, ensuring subject-verb agreement, and using past tense forms accurately for historical data.

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