Band 4.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.0 · 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 4.0)

The line chart observes the trend of the emission of carbon dioxide in the four different nations from 1967 to 2007 per person.

As an overview, it can be noticed that in Portugal and Italy the release of the gas in the atmosphere was gradually increasing while for other two nations there was some fluctuations during the four decades.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 3.0

The response identifies the chart’s subject and period, and its overview correctly notes that emissions in Italy and Portugal rose overall. However, the overview is incomplete and partly inaccurate: the UK declined steadily, while Sweden rose to a peak in 1977 and then fell, rather than both countries simply showing “some fluctuations.” No figures or specific comparisons are reported, so the main features are not adequately selected or supported. The response also contains only 59 words, well below the required 150, leaving the task substantially unfinished. To improve, add a clear overview of the countries’ contrasting trends and include key values, such as the UK remaining highest and Portugal rising from the lowest level to match Sweden by 2007.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5

The response has a basic, understandable sequence: it introduces the chart and then gives an overview, with “As an overview” signalling the shift. This provides some organisation, but the answer is too brief to develop a clear progression or group and compare the four countries’ data. The second sentence combines several trends without explaining them, and “other two nations” is not sufficiently precise for the reader to follow the comparison. Use separate paragraphs for an introduction, an overview and detailed comparisons, and organise the body around contrasting patterns—for example, the UK’s gradual decline versus the rises in Italy and Portugal and Sweden’s rise followed by a fall. Linking phrases should clarify these relationships rather than merely announce sections.

Lexical Resource: Band 4.5

The response uses relevant topic vocabulary, including “line chart,” “emission,” “carbon dioxide,” and “per person,” so the subject is clear. It also attempts more formal phrasing with “As an overview” and “release of the gas in the atmosphere.” However, some choices are awkward or imprecise: a chart does not usually “observe” a trend, and “release of the gas in the atmosphere” is less direct than describing emissions. The vocabulary range is narrow, with no language for comparing values, peaks or declines. Use accurate collocations such as “the chart illustrates,” “per-capita emissions,” “rose to a peak,” and “fell steadily,” while varying terms carefully and avoiding unnecessarily elaborate wording.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

The response communicates its basic meaning through two sentences and attempts a complex contrast with “while,” showing some structural range. However, control is uneven. In “in Portugal and Italy the release … was gradually increasing while for other two nations there was some fluctuations,” the article is missing before “other two nations,” and “fluctuations” does not agree with “was.” The sentence also shifts between a past progressive description and a general past-tense account without a clear reason. The opening phrase “from 1967 to 2007 per person” is awkwardly placed, making the relationship between the period and measure less clear. Practise accurate plural agreement and articles, and use straightforward past-tense clauses to report the chart’s historical trends.

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