Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)

The line graph compare the average amount of carbon dioxide emissions produced per capita in four European countries -the United Kingdom, Swedan,Italy, and Portugal- over a 40 year period from 1967 to 2007.

Overll, the United Kingdom and Swedan

experienced a downward trend in per capita emissions over the period, while Italy and Portugal saw steady increases. Despite the decline, the United Kingdom consistently recorded the higherst emissions per person through the entire tmeframe.

In 1967, the United Kingdom had the highest emisssions at approximately 11 metric tones per person. This figure fell steady over the next four decades, reaching just over 9 metric tonnes by 2007. Swedan intially ranked second, with emissions rising from around 9 metric tonnes in 1967 to a peak of about 10.5 metric tonnesa in 1967. Following this, Sweden's emiisions dropped sharply and continously, finishing at roughly 5.5 etric tonnes in 2007.

In contrast, emissions in Italy and Protugal started much lower but grew significantly. Italy's emissions began at just over 4 metric tonnes in 1967.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the main overall contrast accurately: emissions fell in the UK and Sweden, while they rose in Italy and Portugal, and you correctly note that the UK remained highest. The figures given for the UK and the broad Swedish pattern are also mostly consistent with the graph. However, the report is only partially developed: it ends just as Italy’s figures are introduced, so the later Italian trend and Portugal’s substantial rise are not described or compared. There is also a factual error in saying Sweden’s peak occurred in 1967; it peaked in 1977. To strengthen the response, cover all four countries through to 2007 and include the key comparison that Italy and Portugal finished at similar levels.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure, moving from an introduction to an overview and then to country-specific details. Phrases such as “Overall” and “In contrast” help signal the main relationships, and the UK and Sweden are grouped sensibly before the rising trends are introduced. However, the final paragraph stops after one sentence about Italy, leaving the comparison unfinished and weakening the progression of the report. Some links between details could also be clearer: the sentence about Sweden’s peak is followed by its decline, but the incorrect year makes that sequence confusing. Complete the Italy and Portugal discussion and use a clear, consistent order for comparing their figures.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of task-appropriate vocabulary, including “per capita,” “downward trend,” “peak,” “decline,” and “metric tonnes.” These choices help communicate the graph’s main patterns, and “consistently recorded the highest emissions” is an effective comparison. However, several spelling errors—such as “Swedan,” “Overll,” “higerst,” and “emiisions”—detract from accuracy and polish. There are also some imprecise or awkward expressions, including “amount of carbon dioxide emissions” and “fell steady”; more natural choices would be “level of emissions” and “declined steadily.” Proofread carefully and aim for precise collocations, especially when describing changes and comparing values.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

You show a mix of simple and more complex sentence forms, including the overview sentence contrasting the countries and the clause “Despite the decline.” Most sentences remain understandable, and the time references are generally handled clearly. Some grammatical errors are present, however. The opening should read “The line graph compares,” with subject–verb agreement, and “This figure fell steady” needs the adverb “steadily.” In “rising … to a peak … in 1967,” the time reference also creates a confusing sentence structure because the peak occurred later. There are occasional punctuation and spacing problems around dashes and commas. Check agreement, adverb forms, and sentence punctuation while retaining your useful range of sentence patterns.

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