Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-10-18

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 diagram illustrates the average of carbon dioxide emissions per head person in the United Kingdom in four regions from 1967 to 2007.

Overall, in two region the carbon dioxide emmision are decline, while in the other two regions they increased from time to time.

In 1967, the United Kingdom was at its peak, and so was Sweden but by 1977 the United Kingdom declined, and Sweden increased by up to 5%. However, from 1987 to 2007, they both declined rapidly, and the emission rate decreased.

In contrast, in 1967 the Carbon dioxide emission in metric tonnes was 4.5 percent, while on the other hand the Portugal was 0.1 percent. However, in 1977 to 1987, both increased rapidly, and from 1997 to 2007 Italy was at its peak and increased by 6.8 percent, while Sweden increased by 4.7 percent.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.0

You identify the broad contrast between declining emissions in the UK and Sweden and rising figures in Italy and Portugal, which is relevant to the graph. However, the overview is too general and several key details are inaccurate or unclear. The UK did not decline from 1967 to 1977, and Sweden’s rise to 1977 was about 1.7 tonnes, not 5%. Italy did not increase from 1997 to 2007; it remained level at about 7.6 tonnes. The figures described as percentages are also incorrect units, and Portugal began at about 1.2 tonnes, not 0.1. The response is 11 words below the required minimum. Include a clearer overview and accurate comparisons of the main trends.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5

The response has a basic structure, moving from an introduction and overview to comparisons between the countries. Linking phrases such as “Overall,” “In contrast,” and “However” show an attempt to connect ideas. However, progression is difficult to follow because the comparisons shift between countries and time periods without a consistent pattern. For example, the final paragraph moves from 1967 figures to changes between 1977 and 1987, then to Italy and Sweden in 1997–2007. Some links also suggest relationships that are not clear, and repeated use of “However” makes cohesion mechanical. Organise the details into a clear sequence, such as declining countries followed by rising countries, and use time references to make each comparison explicit.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant topic vocabulary, including “emissions,” “declined,” “increased,” and “peak,” so the reader can recognise the subject and general trends. However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations are inaccurate, which sometimes makes the data difficult to interpret. “Per head person” is not a natural expression; use “per person” or “per capita.” “Emission rate” is less suitable here than “emissions level,” and describing tonnes as “percent” confuses the unit. There are also spelling errors, including “emmision.” Aim for precise graph language and repeat key terms accurately rather than using awkward alternatives.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, including clauses introduced by “while,” “although,” and “however,” and the overall meaning is often recoverable. However, control is inconsistent. For example, “in two region the carbon dioxide emmision are decline” has problems with number agreement and verb form, while “the Portugal was” uses an unnecessary article. The sentence beginning “In 1967, the United Kingdom was at its peak, and so was Sweden but by 1977…” also needs clearer punctuation and clause boundaries. Most sentences are understandable, but these recurring errors and the limited range of reliably controlled structures prevent smoother communication. Practise accurate subject–verb agreement, past-tense descriptions, articles, and punctuation in comparisons.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.