Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

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

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 illustrates average amount of carbon dioxide emissions for each person in four countries (the UK, Sweden, Italy and Portugal) from 1967 to 2007.

In general, the United Kingdom and Sweden showed a downward trend, while Italy and Portugal depicted an upward one. Despite the UK decreased, it recorded the highest among other European coutries.

To begin, emissions of Italy and Partugal increased througout the period.

At the beginning, Portugal started its journey with only 1 metric tonna per person, but after that rose steadily until 1997 reaching around 5 metric tonnas. Then, it experienced slight increase. In addition, Italy was a little over 4 metrric tonnas and inceased for 2 metric tonnas until 1977, after that in 20 years almost reached 8 metric tonnas, surpassing Sweden, then remained stable.

The Sweden emissions rose from roughly 9 to approximately 10 metric tonnes, reaching its top spot. However, after this, it decreased dramatically, equlazing with Portugal in 2007. The UK was the highest with roughly 11 metric tonnas per person and experienced gradual decline. But, despite that it remained the highest with approximately average 9 metric tonnes.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the main overall contrast: emissions fell in the UK and Sweden but rose in Italy and Portugal, and you note that the UK remained highest. Several key comparisons are also included, such as Sweden’s peak in 1977 and its later convergence with Portugal. However, some details are imprecise or incomplete: Italy reached about 7.6 tonnes by 1997 and then stayed level, rather than “almost reached 8” only after a stated 20-year period; Portugal also finished level with Sweden at about 5.4. The overview could more clearly highlight that Italy overtook Sweden and that the UK’s decline was gradual. A more systematic account of the main stages and end-point rankings would make the summary more complete and precise.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure, moving from an introduction and overview to details about the rising and falling countries. Time markers such as “At the beginning,” “after that,” and “in 2007” help readers follow the chronology. However, progression is not consistently clear: the paragraph beginning “To begin” introduces both Italy and Portugal, then the next paragraph discusses them separately, while the final paragraph combines Sweden and the UK. Some links are also awkward or unclear, particularly “despite the UK decreased” and “after this,” whose reference is not fully explicit. Grouping the two declining countries together and the two rising countries together, with clearer transitions and references, would create a more controlled progression.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant vocabulary for describing trends, including “downward trend,” “rose steadily,” “decreased,” “surpassing,” and “remained stable.” This gives you a workable range for reporting the graph. However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or unnatural, such as “depicted an upward one,” “started its journey,” and “reaching its top spot.” Spelling errors are also noticeable, including “Partugal,” “througout,” “metrric,” and “equlazing,” which reduce the accuracy of the report. Aim for precise, conventional graph language and check spelling carefully; for example, use “increased,” “peaked,” and “fell to the same level” where appropriate.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mixture of simple and more complex sentences, including clauses introduced by “while,” “but,” and “after that,” and the overall meaning is generally understandable. However, errors recur in sentence construction and verb forms. For example, “Despite the UK decreased” needs a noun or gerund construction (“Despite the UK’s decline”), while “after that rose steadily” lacks a clear subject. The sentence beginning “In addition, Italy was a little over 4…” also has an unclear structure and an awkward time reference. Articles and phrasing are sometimes missing or misplaced, as in “recorded the highest.” Use complete clauses with explicit subjects, and check that each comparison has a clear grammatical structure.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.