Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-10-07

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 provides the information about the average carbon dioxide emissions by every individual person in the four different European cities over a period of 4 decades.

Overall, the highest number of the carbon emission produced by United Kingdom, when least emissions were observed in Portugal. However, CO2 emissions were produced in Sweden was overtaken by Italy.

In 1967, the carbon dioxide in United Kingdom was nearly 11 metric tonnes after which, emission went down steadily to around 9 metric tonnes, whereas CO2 emissions in Sweden increased significantly between 1967 and 1977 and reaching at 10.3 metric tonnes. However, it was dropped steeply to 5.2 metric, which were the lowest number of carbon dioxide emissions. The carbon emissions in the Italy increased on same rate as Sweden for first decades, after that, Italy surpassed to Sweden in 1987. From 1997 to 2007 increase rate of carbon emissions had remained stable.

Moreover, the Portugal city produced less amount of carbon dioxide initially around 1.2 metric tonnes in 1967. However, the CO2 was rose continuously for 3 decades and remained stable between 1997 and 2007. Portugal and Sweden have same amount of carbon dioxide emissions noticed in 2007.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You identify the main overall patterns: the UK remains the highest-emitting country, Portugal starts lowest and rises, and Italy overtakes Sweden. The report also includes relevant figures, such as the UK’s fall from nearly 11 tonnes and Portugal’s initial 1.2 tonnes. This covers the task well, and the overview shows some selection of key features. However, a few details are inaccurate or unclear: Sweden falls to about 5.4 tonnes in 2007, not 5.2 as its lowest figure, and Italy’s emissions do not increase at the same rate as Sweden in the early period. The claim that Portugal and Sweden have the same figure in 2007 is broadly supported. More precise comparisons and a clearer account of Italy’s rise to 7.6 tonnes would strengthen the response further.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall structure: an introduction, an overview, and two paragraphs describing the trends. Time markers such as “In 1967,” “between 1967 and 1977,” and “From 1997 to 2007” help the reader follow the data. The contrast between the UK’s decline and Sweden’s rise and fall is also relevant. However, some links are mechanical or make relationships difficult to follow. For example, “However” is used repeatedly, including where the sentence is adding information rather than contrasting it. The reference in “which were the lowest number” is unclear, and the Italy discussion shifts between countries without a fully smooth progression. Grouping the countries more consistently and using clearer references would improve cohesion.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use a suitable range of topic vocabulary, including “emissions,” “metric tonnes,” “increased significantly,” “dropped steeply,” and “remained stable.” These choices make the main trends understandable and show attempts to use more precise language than basic descriptions. Some word choices and collocations are less natural, however: “the highest number of the carbon emission produced by United Kingdom” and “the Portugal city produced less amount” are awkward, while “same rate” does not accurately describe the countries’ different trends. Repetition of “carbon dioxide” and “emissions” also limits flexibility. Aim for concise, conventional chart language such as “emissions stood at,” “declined,” and “rose steadily,” and use country names directly rather than describing them as cities.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and complex sentences, including clauses with “whereas,” “after which,” and “However,” and the overall meaning is generally recoverable. Some grammatical errors remain, especially in verb forms, agreement, and sentence construction. For instance, “CO2 emissions were produced in Sweden was overtaken by Italy” combines incompatible structures; “the CO2 was rose continuously” uses an incorrect passive form; and “emission went down” does not agree with the plural idea being discussed. Articles and prepositions are also sometimes missing or awkward, as in “in United Kingdom” and “reaching at 10.3 metric tonnes.” Use a consistent past-tense pattern and check each sentence for a clear subject and correctly formed verb.

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