Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)

The line chart depicts the data regarding carbon dioxide emitted in metric tonnes by each individuals in the United Kingdom, Sweden, Italy, and Portungal over 40 years.

To begin with, each individuals in the United Kingdom emitted nearly 11 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide in 1967 which gradually declined to less than 9 tonnes after 40 years. Despite, initially, carbon dioxide emission in Portugal was approximately 1 metric tonnes which steadly grew to more than 5 metric tonnes in 1997. It was seen that it remained constant for next one decade. A similar trend was followed by Italy with more than 4 metric tonnes in 1967. Emission of carbon sharply rose to more than 6 tonnes after 10 years. Further iit climbs untill 1997.Then plateaued for next 10 years. Similarly, Sweden began from just above 8 metric tonnes which showed a same pattern as Italy till 1977, subsequentially exhibited a sharp decline to 7 metric tonnes surpassed Italy in 1987. Finally it rapidly fell to more than 5 metric tonnes in 2007.

To sum up, carbon emission drastically decreased in both Sweden and United kingdom. Whereas, Italy and Portungal exhibited a dramatic climb in carbon emissions.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You cover all four countries and identify the main contrast: emissions fell in the UK and Sweden overall, while they rose in Italy and Portugal. Several comparisons are also supported by the chart, including the UK’s highest starting level and Portugal’s low initial figure. This meets the task well, and the overview shows some effective selection of key trends. However, a few details are inaccurate or unclear: Portugal reached about 5.2 tonnes in 1997 and then stayed roughly level, rather than clearly exceeding five only at that point; Sweden fell to about 7 tonnes in 1987, but did not surpass Italy then, as Italy was slightly lower. More precise comparisons and a clearer account of Sweden’s peak in 1977 would strengthen the report.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure, moving from a brief introduction to country-by-country details and a concluding overview. Time markers such as “in 1967,” “after 10 years” and “in 2007” help readers follow the chronology. However, most of the detailed information is packed into one long paragraph, and the sequence shifts between countries, making comparisons harder to track. Some linking is also mechanical or unclear: “Despite, initially” does not form a clear connection, while “Similarly” introduces Sweden even though its trend differs from Italy’s after 1977. Use separate paragraphs for the overview and details, and group countries with similar trends. Clearer references and transitions would make the progression more controlled.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use a reasonable range of task-related vocabulary, including “gradually declined,” “sharply rose,” “remained constant” and “plateaued,” which helps describe changes over time. There are also attempts at more formal phrasing, such as “depicts” and “exhibited.” However, some word choices and collocations are inaccurate or awkward, including “carbon dioxide emitted,” “showed a same pattern” and “surpassed Italy” where the comparison is not supported by the figures. Spelling errors such as “Portungal,” “steadly” and “untill” also reduce accuracy. Aim for precise, natural chart language and check country names and common trend verbs carefully; this would make the adequate range more flexible and reliable.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and more complex sentence forms, including clauses with “which” and time expressions such as “after 40 years.” The overall meaning is generally understandable, but some grammatical errors recur. For example, “each individuals” has a number-agreement problem, “declined to less than 9 tonnes” needs a clearer construction in the sentence, and “Further it climbs” shifts tense inconsistently within a past-period report. The sentence beginning “Despite, initially” is also not grammatically complete as written, and punctuation around “Then plateaued” creates a fragment. Keep the past tense consistent and check subject–verb agreement, articles and sentence boundaries. More accurate control of these patterns would improve clarity.

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