Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-10-12

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 line chart illustrates the information about how much carbondioxide is released by per person in different countries from 1967 to 2007. The data has been measured in Tonnes.

Overall, the highest proportion was seen in Italy and then lowest was in Portugal.

To start with, from the initial year, the highest proportion was seen in United kingdom at 11 metrics tonnes and it slightly decrease at 8.5 metrice tonnes in 2007. In sweden, individuals release co2 at 8.5 in 1967 and significantly inceased at 10 in 1977 then it dramatically decline was seen at 5.5 metric tonnes in 2007.

Moving further, in Italy, it rose at 6 tonnes in 1977 and significantly increased at 7.5 in 2007. In Portugal, in the initial year, it started at least release n Co2 at 1 tonnes and a large increase was seen from 1977 to 2007, which was 5.5 metric tonnes.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the period and countries, and report several relevant figures, including the UK’s decline and Portugal’s rise. However, the overview is inaccurate: Italy was not the highest throughout or overall; the UK remained highest in 2007, while Italy rose to about 7.6 tonnes and then levelled off. Portugal was lowest only at the start, not at the end, when it was approximately level with Sweden. The account also omits key features such as Italy’s steady rise and Sweden’s peak in 1977 followed by a marked fall. To make the summary more complete, give a precise overview of the contrasting trends and compare the countries’ positions at the beginning and end.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs. The sequence from the UK and Sweden to Italy and Portugal is easy to follow, and phrases such as “To start with” and “Moving further” signal transitions. However, the overview does not clearly guide the reader because its comparison is inaccurate, and some linking phrases feel mechanical rather than showing relationships between trends. The country-by-country reporting also leaves the main comparisons implicit. Grouping the declining series (the UK and Sweden) separately from the rising series (Italy and Portugal), then using clear comparisons such as “whereas” and “by contrast,” would strengthen progression and cohesion.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant chart vocabulary, including “increased,” “decline,” “metric tonnes,” and “released,” so the topic is generally understandable. However, the range is limited and several choices or forms are inaccurate, sometimes making the meaning awkward: “highest proportion” is not a natural description of emissions per person, and “at least release n CO2” is unclear. There are also noticeable spelling and word-form errors, such as “carbondioxide,” “metrice,” and “inceased.” Aim for precise terms such as “emissions per person,” “rose to,” “fell to,” and “remained stable.” Check spelling and use standard forms consistently to make the data description clearer.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more extended sentences, and the overall meaning can usually be followed. However, grammatical errors occur frequently, particularly in verb forms and sentence construction. For example, “it slightly decrease” needs a past-tense verb, while “then it dramatically decline was seen” combines incompatible structures. “A large increase was seen from 1977 to 2007, which was 5.5” also has an unclear reference and does not express the final figure accurately as a grammatical comparison. Articles and prepositions are sometimes missing or awkward, as in “at 11 metrics tonnes.” Practise reliable patterns such as “emissions stood at…,” “rose from…to…,” and “fell before reaching…,” and check each sentence for a clear subject and verb.

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