Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-10-10

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 6.5)

The provided line ghraph illustrates the the average release of carbon dioxide by the citizens of four different nations in four decades starting from 1967 to 2007.

Overall, it is clear that Uk and Sweden saw a significant decrease of carbon dioxide emissions per capita. Wheras, Italy and Portugal experienced an upward trend throughout the period.

To begin with, UK recorded the highest emissions at approximately 11 metric tonnes, followed by Sweden which is roughly 8.5 metric tonnes. UK showed the slight decline around 8.6 metric tonnes in 2007, it remained the higher polluter among the four. Sweden emission peaked at just over 10 metric tonnes in 1977 before declined to just under 6 metric tonnes in 2007.

Following that, Italy and Portugal started with the much lower figures in 1967, at around 4 metric tonnes and slightly over 1 metric tonnes, respectively. Both countries experienced a continuous growth. By 2007, Italy emission leveled off at 7.5 metric tonnes, while the portugal emission rose to just over 5 metric tonnes, closely converging with the Sweden ending level.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

You give a clear overview of the main contrast: emissions fell in the UK and Sweden, while Italy and Portugal rose. The key comparisons are also supported with relevant figures, including the UK’s highest starting level, Sweden’s 1977 peak, and the countries’ approximate 2007 values. Your statement that Portugal ended close to Sweden is accurate. This covers the task well and keeps the report focused on the main trends. To make the account more fully developed, include a little more detail about the changing rankings: Italy overtook Sweden by 1997, and its emissions then levelled off, while the UK remained highest throughout. Also, “significant decrease” slightly overstates the UK’s more gradual decline.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response is arranged in a clear sequence: an introduction, an overview, and two paragraphs grouping the declining and rising countries. Linking phrases such as “Overall,” “To begin with,” and “Following that” help readers follow the report, and the comparisons within each paragraph are generally easy to understand. This is a coherent overall structure. However, some connections are mechanical, and the sentence “UK showed the slight decline around 8.6 metric tonnes in 2007, it remained the higher polluter” joins two independent ideas with only a comma. The reference in “it remained” is also less clear than it could be. Use a full stop or a linking conjunction, and vary transitions by showing the relationship between trends rather than relying on sequencing phrases.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of task-related vocabulary, including “emissions per capita,” “peaked,” “upward trend,” “leveled off,” and “converging.” These choices help describe both movement and comparison, and the meaning is generally clear. There are, however, some inaccurate or awkward collocations and word forms: “average release of carbon dioxide” is less natural than “average CO₂ emissions,” and “Sweden emission” and “Italy emission” need more accurate phrasing. “Significant decrease” is also stronger than the UK trend warrants. Spelling and capitalisation slips, including “ghraph,” “Wheras,” and “portugal,” reduce control. Aim for precise chart-reporting expressions and proofread country names and key terms.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and more complex forms, including the overview contrast and the sentence describing Sweden’s peak before its later decline. Most ideas remain understandable, but some grammatical errors recur. For example, “UK showed the slight decline …, it remained” is a comma splice, while “before declined” needs a participle or a full clause, such as “before declining.” There are also article and number issues in “the average release,” “the much lower figures,” and “1 metric tonnes,” as well as missing possessive forms in “Sweden emission” and “Italy emission.” These errors do not generally prevent understanding, but they limit accuracy. Practise combining clauses correctly and checking articles, possessives, and singular/plural agreement.

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