Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-10-14

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 graph illustrates the data for the typical carbon dioxide emissions per person in four countries, namely, United Kingdom, Sweden, Itlay and Portugal, between 1967 and 2007.

The largest emissions per person are recorded in United Kingdom, while the least amount is recorded for Portugal.

The emissions recorded for Portugal show a steady rise, starting from 1 tonne in 1967 to 5 tonnes by 2007. A similar trend is observed by the emissions recorded for Itlay. It begins at around 4 tonnes and steadily rises to around 8 tonnes.

The initial trend observed for Sweden is the same, however, the emissions drop down in 1977. From 1977 onwards, a sharp decrease is observed. The data recorded in 1967 is 8.5 tonnes. It increases in 1977 by 10 tonnes before sharply dropping down to 5 tonnes.

Lastly the emissions recorded in the United Kindom show a steady decrease from 11 tonnes in 1967 to 9 tonnes in 2007.

Overall the largest difference in the emissions throught the years is recorded by Sweden, while the least amount of difference is observed for United Kingdom.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the four countries and report the broad patterns: the UK declines, Portugal and Italy rise, and Sweden rises before falling. The overview also correctly notes that the UK is generally highest and Portugal starts lowest. However, some details are unclear or inaccurate. Sweden does not begin falling in 1977; it reaches its peak of about 10 tonnes then, and the decline starts afterwards. The claim that Portugal has the lowest emissions throughout is not true by 2007, when it is level with Sweden at about 5.4 tonnes. The final comparison about the largest and smallest differences is also not clearly supported or explained. More precise comparisons and a clearer overview of the key changes would strengthen the report.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall sequence: an introduction, a broad comparison, descriptions of the rising countries, Sweden and the UK, and a concluding overview. This makes the main information reasonably easy to follow. Paragraphing and signposting are present, with transitions such as “A similar trend” and “Lastly.” However, the organisation is sometimes mechanical, and the Sweden account is difficult to follow because it first says emissions “drop down in 1977” and then says they increase to 10 tonnes in that year. The final sentence introduces a comparison that has not been developed in the body. Grouping the countries by trend and using clearer references between sentences would create a more consistent progression.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use enough task-related vocabulary to describe the graph, including “emissions,” “steady rise,” “sharp decrease” and “recorded,” so the meaning is generally clear. There is some repetition of “emissions recorded” and “tonnes,” and several choices are imprecise or unnatural: “typical carbon dioxide emissions” is less suitable than “average emissions,” while “drop down” and “difference in the emissions” do not express the trends precisely. Spelling errors in “Itlay,” “Kindom” and “throught” also reduce accuracy. Aim for a wider set of natural trend and comparison phrases, and check country names carefully. More precise vocabulary would help distinguish a peak, a decline and a final level.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple and more developed sentence forms, and most sentences communicate the intended trend. For example, “The emissions recorded for Portugal show a steady rise” is a clear present-simple description, while “It begins at around 4 tonnes and steadily rises” uses a suitable linked structure. Some grammatical inaccuracies remain. The opening list needs articles or a more natural construction (“the United Kingdom”); “the least amount is recorded for Portugal” has an awkward structure; and “The initial trend observed for Sweden is the same” has an unclear comparison. The sentence about Sweden’s 1977 change also creates a confusing relationship between clauses. Review articles, sentence links and comparative structures to make these points more precise.

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