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 line graph depicts an average of Carbon dioxide produced per person from 1967 to 2007, in four major counties around the world. Overall, two countries have experienced a rise in percentage on the other hand an opposite trend is observed in United Kingdom and Sweden.

While observing the graph Sweden has shown significant changes over the time. From the period of 1976 to 1977 an increase was observed. Afterwards the average dropped significantly and kept going low until 2007. Where it is dropped just below the figure of 6 metric tonnes per person. When we compare it to United Kingdom, the line shows a slight but steady decline over these years.

However, when we look at the lines representing Italy and Portugal a similar trend has been observed. Both of these countries experienced increase in the emission. As per studies Portugal and Sweden have same percentage in 2007. Furthermore Italy's numbers are just below 8 metric tonnes.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the broad contrast between declining emissions in the UK and Sweden and rising figures in Italy and Portugal, and you include relevant end-point comparisons: Portugal and Sweden are both about 5.4 tonnes in 2007, while Italy is around 7.6. However, the overview is imprecise: saying “two countries have experienced a rise” does not clarify that Italy and Portugal rose overall, while Sweden rose first and then fell. Some details are inaccurate or unclear, including “from the period of 1976 to 1977” (the graph begins at 1967) and the claim that Sweden “kept going low” without describing its peak in 1977. Develop the main trends more fully and report key figures across the period to make the summary more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable overall structure: an introduction and overview are followed by paragraphs comparing Sweden with the UK and Italy with Portugal. Linking expressions such as “Overall,” “However,” and “Furthermore” help signal relationships between points. At times, though, progression is weakened by unclear or awkward connections. “Where it is dropped just below the figure of 6” is a fragment and does not clearly connect to the preceding sentence, while “As per studies” introduces an unsupported idea rather than a graph observation. The overview also groups the trends broadly without explaining their sequence. Use complete sentences and organise the body around clear comparisons, with each paragraph moving from trend to supporting figures.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant task vocabulary, including “steady decline,” “increase,” “metric tonnes,” and “emission,” so the reader can generally understand the subject and direction of change. However, some word choices are imprecise or unnatural for describing a graph: “rise in percentage” is not appropriate because the figures are emissions per person, and “kept going low” is vague. “Major counties” is also the wrong term for the four places shown, and “As per studies” suggests external research that the graph does not provide. Aim for precise collocations such as “emissions per capita,” “rose steadily,” and “fell to approximately.” Avoid repeating general words like “numbers” when a more exact term such as “figure” or “level” is available.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and more complex forms, including “when we compare it to United Kingdom” and “when we look at the lines representing Italy and Portugal.” Meaning is usually recoverable, but some sentence structures and grammatical forms are inaccurate. “Where it is dropped just below the figure of 6” is an incomplete clause, and “the average dropped” would be clearer with a suitable time reference and past-tense construction. Articles are also missing in “in United Kingdom,” and the opening phrase “an average of Carbon dioxide produced” is not formed clearly. Practise complete clauses and accurate article use, and check punctuation around introductory clauses. More consistently controlled complex sentences would make the comparisons easier to follow.

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