Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-10-20

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 depicts the per capita carbon dioxide emissions in four countries from 1967 to 2007.

It is shows that individuals in Sweden and UK has lower CO2 emissions in this period, but Italy and Portugal witnessed a huge increase in carbon dioxide emissions, and UK citizens consistently accounted for the highest CO2 emissions.

In 1967, the average CO2 emissions per person in UK is approximately 11 tonnes, then Sweden at 9 tonnes. And each Italian emitted over 4 tonnes of CO2, which is 3 times higher than Portugal's.

Though, the average CO2 emission in the UK alowly declined to under 9 tonnes at the end of this period, while Sweden has increase moderated to below 6 tonnes, and a slight increase in the first decade. More importantly, italy saw a huge increase un emissions, reaching nearly 8 tonnes per person in 2007. Portugal also rise to approximately 6 tonnes too.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the overall contrast between declining emissions in the UK and Sweden and rising figures in Italy and Portugal, and you correctly note that the UK remained the highest throughout. Several starting and ending values are also broadly accurate. However, the overview is not fully precise: Sweden did not have lower emissions throughout, since its figure rose to about 10.3 tonnes in 1977, and Portugal ended at roughly 5.4 rather than 6 tonnes. The account also omits important developments, especially Sweden’s sharp fall after 1977 and Italy’s rise followed by a plateau from 1997. To strengthen the response, give a clearer overview of these key patterns and compare the countries at the end of the period.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, a general summary, and a paragraph with figures and trends. This helps the reader follow the broad comparison. However, progression within the final paragraph is uneven: it moves from the UK to Sweden, then Italy and Portugal, without consistently grouping the countries by similar trends or clearly marking the time stages. Some linking is awkward or unclear, as in “Though” at the start of a sentence and “And each Italian…” The overview also repeats information about the UK being highest rather than developing the comparison. Organise the details into clearer trend groups and use linking expressions to show contrast and sequence more precisely.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant topic vocabulary, including “per capita,” “emissions,” “declined,” and “increase,” and the main subject remains understandable. There is some variety in describing change, but several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or imprecise: “lower CO2 emissions in this period” suggests a level rather than a downward trend, while “increase moderated” is not a natural phrase. Spelling errors such as “alowly,” “un,” and “italy” also reduce accuracy. Aim for precise trend language and check spelling carefully; for example, describe figures as “fell steadily” or “rose moderately,” and use “emissions” consistently when referring to the measured amounts.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple statements and longer sentences with contrast, such as the sentence beginning “Though, the average CO2 emission…” This shows some range, but errors in verb forms, agreement, and sentence construction are frequent enough to make parts less smooth. Examples include “It is shows,” “Sweden and UK has,” “UK is approximately,” and “Sweden has increase.” The sentence beginning “And each Italian emitted…” is also awkwardly attached to the preceding information, and “Though” is incorrectly used as a sentence opener in this context. Practise consistent past-tense reporting for the historical period, subject–verb agreement, and complete sentence structures. These corrections would make your comparisons clearer.

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