Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-10-13

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 5.0)

The line graph illustrates the amount of carbon dioxide per capita on average in the United and Kingdom, Sweden, Italy and Portugal over the period 1967 and 2007. Overall, we can observe decline in the level of CO2 emission in United Kingdom and Sweden whereas, in Italy and Portugal the emmision level rose in metric tonnes with highest being the highest and lowest being the lowest for all times.

To begin with, United States initially had the highest level of Co2 emission with 11 metric tonnes approx in the year 1967. For the upcoming years, we saw a continuous decline in its value all together reaching below 9 metric tonnes. In sweden, the chart experiences a turmoil in its value in the year 1977, crossing the level above 10, and in the year later it had a steep downfall, having 7 metric tonnes. Moving on, a gradual decrease was evident in its value from 1987 for the upcoming years, attaining emission rate below 6 metric tonnes.

In continuation, Italy overall records a increase of 4 units approx. Starting from a value slight above 4 in the year 1967 and attaining a figure sight lower to 8 in the year 2007. In Portugal, it commence with the lowest metric units, 1 approx, and with the constant increase it attains a value above 3 metric units in the year 1987. For the duration 1987 to 1997, Italy experience a peapable rise in the value above 5 metric tonnes, with a constant figure in the forthcoming years.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5

You identify the broad contrast that emissions fell in the UK and Sweden but rose in Italy and Portugal, and you include several approximate figures. However, important details are inaccurate or incomplete: the UK is repeatedly called the “United States,” and the overview’s claim that Italy and Portugal had the highest and lowest levels “for all times” is not true. The UK remained highest throughout, while Portugal began lowest but finished level with Sweden. Italy’s rise is described, but Portugal’s later increase and its final comparison are omitted. The account also misattributes Italy’s 1987–97 rise to Portugal. Select the main trends accurately, compare the countries at the end, and check that each figure and trend is assigned to the correct series.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has a recognisable introduction, overview and two detail paragraphs, and signposts such as “To begin with” and “Moving on” help indicate a sequence. However, progression is weakened by unclear or inaccurate links between ideas. For example, “For the duration 1987 to 1997” follows the Portugal discussion but describes Italy, making the reference confusing. The overview’s phrase “with highest being the highest and lowest being the lowest” is repetitive and does not establish a useful comparison. Some transitions, including “In continuation,” feel mechanical. Group the countries consistently, use clear references to each series, and organise the details so that each paragraph’s comparisons are easy to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some task-relevant vocabulary, including “per capita,” “metric tonnes,” “gradual decrease” and “steep downfall,” so the reader can generally recognise the topic and trends. However, the range is limited and several choices are inaccurate or unnatural: “turmoil” does not describe a change in a data line, “constant figure” is less precise than language for a plateau, and “metric units” is not the correct measurement phrase. There are also spelling errors such as “emmision” and “peapable,” and “United States” is the wrong country name. Use precise trend vocabulary and proofread spellings and labels; for example, describe a line as fluctuating, levelling off or rising steadily as appropriate.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mixture of simple and longer sentences, including clauses introduced by “whereas” and “with,” and the main meaning is usually recoverable. However, errors in sentence construction and agreement recur. Examples include “we can observe decline” (missing an article), “Italy overall records a increase” (article and verb-form problems), and “it commence” and “Italy experience” (subject–verb agreement). The opening phrase “over the period 1967 and 2007” also uses an incorrect preposition pattern. Some sentences become difficult to follow because several ideas are joined without clear grammatical control. Practise accurate articles, agreement and past-tense reporting, and use shorter sentences when describing multiple changes.

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