Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-10-08

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 given line chart illustrates mean carbon dioxide emissions a individual in the four different countries from 1967 to 2007. This figure is measured in the metric tonnes.

Overall, it can be seen that the Italy and Portugal figure shown increased in over the period. While, the carbon dioxide emissions in United Kingdom decreased. Sweden's trend recorded fluctuation.

After analyzing the line chart, it is evident that in 1967, carbon emission in Portugal stood at 1 metric tonnes, it was grew after twenty period of time and reach to approximately 5 metric tonnes in 1997. In the last ten year, showed minor change at around 5.9 metric tonnes in 2007. Moreover, in Italy, carbon dioxide emissions started 4 metric tonnes and rise around 6.5 metric tonnes in years 1967 and 1977 respectively. Between 1977 to 1997 registered slight decline and reached around 7.9 metric tonnes. Lastly, this figure constantly stable from 2007.

Furthermore, turning to the other details carbon dioxide emission of Sweden more fluctuated compared to the other country trend. It was 8.5 metric tonnes in the first year 1967 and after significantly rise in 1977 which was 10.2 matric tonnes and then fall down in the next years 1987 to 2007 reach around 5.9 metric tonnes. The last county is United Kingdom, produce carbon emission 10.5 metric tonnes and shown decreased over the period. lastly reach to 8.5 metric tonnes in 2007.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the broad pattern that Italy and Portugal rose while UK emissions fell, and you include figures for all four countries. However, some key details are inaccurate or unclear, which limits how fully the chart is reported. Italy did not decline between 1977 and 1997: it rose from about 6.3 to 7.6 tonnes, then remained stable to 2007. Portugal also levelled off at roughly 5.4 tonnes after 1997, rather than reaching 5.9. The overview says Sweden fluctuated, but does not highlight its peak in 1977 followed by a sustained fall, or that the UK remained the highest emitter throughout. Report these main comparisons accurately and distinguish rises, falls and plateaus.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, and two detail paragraphs that group Portugal with Italy and Sweden with the UK. This gives the reader a generally coherent route through the information. However, progression is sometimes weakened by unclear or mechanical linking, such as “After analyzing the line chart,” “Moreover,” and “Lastly,” and some references are difficult to follow: “this figure constantly stable from 2007” does not clearly identify the series or period. The detail paragraphs would be easier to follow if each country’s trend were described in chronological order and comparisons were made directly. Use linking words selectively and make the subject of each sentence explicit.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant chart vocabulary, including “emissions,” “metric tonnes,” “increased,” “decreased,” and “fluctuated,” so the topic is generally clear. There is also some attempt to vary expression with phrases such as “stood at” and “turning to the other details.” However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or unnatural, including “mean carbon dioxide emissions a individual,” “the Italy and Portugal figure,” “rise in 1977,” and “fall down.” “Matric tonnes” is also a spelling error. These choices sometimes make the intended trend harder to understand. Build a more reliable set of chart phrases, such as “per person,” “emissions in Italy,” “rose to,” and “fell to,” and check spelling and word forms.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, and the overall meaning can usually be followed. However, errors in sentence structure and verb forms are frequent enough to make some descriptions difficult to interpret. For example, “it was grew” combines incompatible verb forms, while “in Italy, carbon dioxide emissions started 4 metric tonnes” is missing a necessary preposition. The sentence “Between 1977 to 1997 registered slight decline” lacks a clear subject and uses an incorrect time construction; “this figure constantly stable from 2007” is also incomplete. Articles, agreement and plurals need attention, as in “a individual” and “1 metric tonnes.” Practise complete subject–verb sentences and consistent past-tense forms when describing historical data.

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