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 graph illustrate the information about how much carbon dioxide is emit by the individuals in different countries between 1967 and 2007.

Overall, majority of the co2 was emit by the united kingdom in 1967, which then reduced in 2007. Portugal was count as the lowest co2 emissions country.

To begin with, first and foremost, carbon dioxide emission was count in metric tonnes in which united kingdom was the highest (11 metric tonnes) in emit the carbon diioxde in 1967, while by the 2007, the ratio of carbon emission decreased to almost 8.5 metric tonnes. However, sweden on the other hand was the second most country in carbon emission recorded to 8.5 mt, where in 1977 the ratio slightly upgraded to 10mt, which then reduced to 6.7mt and recorded 5.9mt in 2007. Furthermore, Italy's ratio was fluctuating, but in last it counted at 7.8mt in 2007. Meanwhile, portugal was the least generating carbon dioxide from all other country. At starting point it was 1.8mt, which then incresed to 2.7mt in 1987, and in 1997 it further increased to 5.6mt, which last stabilised at 5mt in 2007.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the main overall pattern: the UK has the highest emissions at the start and declines, while Portugal begins lowest and rises. You also include relevant figures for several countries. However, some details are inaccurate or unclear: Portugal starts at about 1.2 tonnes, not 1.8, and reaches about 5.4 in 2007 rather than falling to 5. The UK remains highest in 2007, while Italy rises to about 7.6 and then levels off; these comparisons could be stated more clearly. Sweden’s peak and subsequent decline are mentioned, but the account of Italy is underdeveloped. A more precise overview and accurate endpoint comparisons would make the key features more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, an overview and a body paragraph, and the information generally moves from the UK and Sweden to Italy and Portugal. This gives the reader an overall route through the data. However, linking phrases are sometimes mechanical or redundant: “To begin with, first and foremost” repeats the same function, while “However, sweden on the other hand” combines contrasting devices awkwardly. Some references are also unclear, such as “in last it counted” and “which last stabilised,” making the sequence of changes harder to follow. Grouping the countries by trend and using simpler, more precise links would improve cohesion.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some task-relevant vocabulary, including “metric tonnes,” “decreased,” “increased” and “stabilised,” and the reader can usually understand the intended comparisons. However, the range and control of collocations are limited. Phrases such as “was emit by the individuals,” “was count as the lowest,” and “the second most country” are not natural ways to describe emissions. There are also spelling and word-form errors, including “diioxde,” “incresed” and “fluctuating” where the trend is not clearly described. Aim for accurate chart language such as “emissions per person,” “recorded,” “rose” and “remained stable,” and check spelling carefully.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, including clauses with “while,” “which” and “where,” and the main meaning is generally recoverable. However, errors in verb forms, agreement and sentence construction occur across the response. For example, “The given graph illustrate” needs subject–verb agreement, and “how much carbon dioxide is emit” has an incorrect verb form. “Portugal was count” and “the ratio slightly upgraded” also show problems with passive forms and tense. Some long sentences join several comparisons without clear grammatical control. Practise accurate past-tense reporting and build complex sentences around one clear comparison at a time; this will make your meaning more reliable.

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