Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-10-16

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 given line chart compares avereage carbon dioxide emmisions per capita in four big countries of europe from last 40 years.

Overall it's clear in chart that the people of United Kingdom had released tonnes of carbon dioxide, whereas line chart showed that after early rise Sweden had experienced significant decline throughout.

Looking at the details in more detail in 1967 United Kingdom were at the top in chart, but it couldn't sustain and drops back and end at 9. On the other hand early rise in 1977, Sweden had experienced consistent fall just after that. People of United Kingdom had released tonnes of carbon dioxide throughout 40 years but after 1977 graph line stay consistent till 2007. In 1967 Portugal were at the lowest from all other countries but just like Italy, line goes upwards in all 40 years and ended in 2007 with United kingdom, so in the year 2007 people of United Kingdom and Portugal released same tonnes of Carbon dioxide from their body.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the broad contrast between the UK’s high emissions and Portugal’s low starting point, and you note Sweden’s rise followed by decline and the upward trends for Italy and Portugal. However, the overview is not fully accurate: the UK declined gradually rather than remaining broadly steady after 1977, and by 2007 it was still well above Portugal, not equal to it. The response also gives few precise figures and does not clearly highlight key comparisons, such as Italy overtaking Sweden and finishing second, while the UK remained highest. Some descriptions are vague or confusing, including “released tonnes” without a quantity. Select the main trends accurately and support them with representative data.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has a basic paragraph structure, moving from an introduction and overview to a paragraph of details, and phrases such as “Overall” and “On the other hand” show an attempt to guide the reader. However, progression within the detail paragraph is difficult to follow: the account shifts between the UK, Sweden, Portugal and Italy without a clear comparison plan. Several ideas are repeated, particularly that the UK remained high and that Portugal and Italy rose. Some linking phrases do not express the relationship accurately, and references such as “it” and “line” are not always clear. Grouping the countries by trend and using clearer comparisons would make the report easier to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some task-relevant vocabulary, including “line chart,” “per capita,” “decline,” and “consistent fall,” so the reader can recognise the topic and broad trends. However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations are inaccurate or awkward, such as “released tonnes of carbon dioxide,” “from all other countries,” and “from their body.” These expressions make parts of the report difficult to interpret. There are also noticeable spelling errors in “avereage” and “emmisions,” and “big countries of europe” is imprecise and informal for this task. Use standard terms such as “emissions per person,” “the lowest figure,” and “rose steadily,” and check spelling carefully.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt a few longer sentences using contrast and time clauses, for example, “In 1967 Portugal were at the lowest … but just like Italy…”. However, complex sentences are often faulty, and errors occur frequently enough to make some meanings unclear. Examples include “United Kingdom were at the top,” where subject–verb agreement and the article are missing, and “it couldn't sustain and drops back,” which mixes verb forms. The sentence about the UK’s line staying consistent is also structurally unclear. Most sentences rely on simple patterns, with limited accurate variety. Practise describing trends with controlled past-tense forms, correct agreement, and shorter sentences before combining comparisons.

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