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 grraph shows the average amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions per poerson in the United Kingdom, Sweden, Italy and Portugal between 1967 and 2007.

Overall, the UK had the highest CO2 emissions for most of the period, and its figure gradually decreased. Sweden also experienced a significant decline after 1977. In contrast, emissions in italy and portugal increased over the period.

In 1967, the UK produced about 11 metric tonnes of CO2 per person, which was the highest figure. Sweden was the second, at around 8.5 metric tonnes, while the Italy and portugal recorded approximately 4.2 and 1.2 tonnes. By 1977 Sweden emissions had risen rapidaly over 10 tonnes, almost reaching the Uk' level. and after that however the Seden emissions fell sharly over 5.8.

The UK;s emissions declined gradually from around 11 tonnes in 1967 to about 8.5 tonness in 2007. Sweden also fell constantly, reaching approximately 5 tonnes by the end of the period. Meanwhile the Italy emissions increased continously, rising from 4 tonnes to around 7.5 tonnes, and comes in second highest in the 2007. Portugal showed the largest sharp increase, going from 1 tonne to 5 tonnes in the end of this period.

overall, the gap between the four countries became much smaller by 2007.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You identify the main overall patterns: the UK remains the highest for most of the period and declines, Sweden falls after its 1977 peak, while Italy and Portugal rise. The opening-year comparisons and several approximate figures are also relevant and broadly accurate. This shows good coverage of the task, with an overview and supporting data. However, some details are unclear or imprecise: “Sweden ... fell sharply over 5.8” does not clearly state its later values, and the claim that Portugal showed the “largest sharp increase” is not well supported, since Italy’s total rise was greater. The final point that the gap narrowed is valid but could be explained with clearer comparisons. More precise reporting of the later trends would strengthen the response.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall structure: an introduction, an overview, and paragraphs presenting figures and trends. The final comparison about the countries’ figures becoming closer also gives the report a relevant concluding point. However, progression within the detail paragraph is sometimes disrupted by faulty or mechanical linking. For example, “and after that however” combines connectors awkwardly, while “and comes in second highest” shifts abruptly from the past trend to the endpoint. Some references are also unclear, particularly “fell sharply over 5.8,” which makes the sequence difficult to follow. Grouping the countries’ trends more consistently and using simpler transitions such as “thereafter” or “by 2007” would make the organisation smoother.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a relevant range of task vocabulary, including “emissions,” “gradually decreased,” “declined,” and “increased,” and these choices generally communicate the main trends. There are also attempts at more descriptive language, such as “significant decline” and “largest sharp increase.” However, spelling errors are noticeable, including “grraph,” “poerson,” “rapidaly,” and “continously,” and some word combinations are unnatural or imprecise: “Sweden was the second,” “fell constantly,” and “largest sharp increase.” Repetition of “around” and “increased” also limits flexibility. Aim for accurate collocations such as “the second-highest figure,” “declined steadily,” and “the steepest rise,” and proofread spelling carefully.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and more complex sentence forms, including a relative clause in “which was the highest figure” and a contrast structure beginning “Meanwhile.” Most of the intended meaning can be understood, but some grammatical errors and punctuation problems remain. For example, “Sweden emissions had risen” needs a possessive form, and “the Italy and portugal recorded” has an unnecessary article. The sentence beginning “By 1977” is fragmented by the full stop before “and after that,” and “the Italy emissions increased ... and comes” mixes an awkward subject construction with inconsistent verb form. Use complete sentences, check articles and possessives, and keep verb forms consistent when describing past data.

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