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 line chart illustrates the typical carbon dioxide emission per individual in four different EU countries between 1967 and 2007. The carban dioxide measured in metric tonnes.

Looking at the details, in UK per person emissions was over 10 metric tonnes in 1967, Meanwhile, this figure steadly declined and reached under 10 metric tonnes in 2007. Sweden started over 8 metric tonnes in 1967 and the trend rose dramaticaly, accounting for just over 10 metric tonnes in 1977, however, this numbers fastly decresed and recorded at 7 metric tonnes in 1987, it followed the decreasing trend and in 2007 reached at under 6 metric tonnes. Moreover Italy was at just over 4 metric tonnes at the beginning and after that this trend went upward and represented under 8 metric tonnes after 4 decade. Portugal had the lowest figure of carbon dioxide emission in 1967 at just under 2 metric tonnes, however this figure rose steadly and reached at under 6 metric tonnes in 2007.

Overall, UK had the highest figure in among all countries, Sweden rose at beginning and then went downward. While Italy and Portugal figures were increase over the time.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The response identifies the main overall patterns: the UK remains the highest emitter, Sweden rises before declining, and Italy and Portugal increase. It also includes relevant approximate figures, such as Sweden reaching just over 10 tonnes in 1977 and Portugal rising from just over 1 tonne to around 5 tonnes. This gives the account a clear, relevant overview and addresses the task. However, some key comparisons are underdeveloped: Italy overtakes Sweden by 1987 and finishes second, while Portugal catches up with Sweden at about 5.4 tonnes in 2007. The statement that the UK is highest “among all countries” is broadly accurate, but the overview could more precisely distinguish Italy’s sustained rise from Portugal’s steady increase. More explicit comparisons and clearer reporting of these end-point rankings would strengthen the response.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a recognisable structure, moving from an introduction to country-by-country details and then an overall summary. The sequence of years is generally easy to follow, and linking expressions such as “Meanwhile,” “Moreover,” and “Overall” help signal relationships between points. This coherent arrangement is a strength. However, cohesion is sometimes mechanical or unclear because several trends are packed into long sentences, particularly the account of Sweden, with multiple clauses joined by commas. “While Italy and Portugal figures were increase over the time” also does not connect smoothly to the preceding overview. Grouping countries with similar trends and using clearer sentence boundaries and references would make progression more controlled and comparisons easier to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The response uses relevant chart vocabulary, including “metric tonnes,” “declined,” “rose,” and “reached,” and it attempts some variation rather than relying entirely on basic verbs. The meaning is generally recoverable, but the range and control are limited by repeated or inaccurate choices. For example, “typical carbon dioxide emission” is less natural than “average emissions,” while “fastly decreased” and “represented under 8 metric tonnes” are awkward collocations. There are also noticeable spelling errors, including “carban,” “steadly,” “dramaticaly,” and “decresed.” More precise terms such as “peaked,” “fell,” “stood at,” and “overtook” would help describe the data efficiently. Check spelling and use standard collocations for trends and figures.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response attempts both simple and complex sentences, including clauses linked with “Meanwhile,” “however,” and “after that.” This shows some range, and the main trends can usually be understood. However, grammatical control is inconsistent, especially in longer sentences. Examples include “in UK per person emissions was,” where the subject and verb do not agree, and “this numbers fastly decresed,” where the demonstrative and noun do not match. The final sentence, “Italy and Portugal figures were increase,” also has errors in possession and verb form. Sentence boundaries and punctuation need attention: the Sweden description runs together several clauses. Practise accurate subject–verb agreement, past-tense forms, articles, and shorter sentence structures before combining ideas.

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