Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-10-22

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 graph illustrates the total carbon dioxide in metric tonnes emissions by person in four different countries from 1967 to 2007.

Overall, It can be seen that in the start highest CO2 emission was noted in United Kingdom.While, Potugal showed the less crbon pollution. In addition, Sweden in 1967 was the second most popular country for Co2 but in the 2007 it emitted same amount of carbon like Portugal and Italy throughout remained stable with slight increase.

In 1967 in UK almost 12 metric tonnes co2 emissin was noted that reduced to 9 until 2007. Portugal was very much controlled in early year and had co2 release of less tha 2 metric tonnes that became to 5 tonnes, but still is lesser than others.

Sweden released 8 co2 everyday in 1967 and in 2007 its emission became equal to portugal. However Italy, co2 emission remaine steady throughout perios with a slight change from 4 to 7.5 metric tonnes.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the main overall pattern: the UK starts highest and declines, Portugal starts lowest and rises, and Italy increases. You also include relevant figures, such as the UK falling from about 12 to 9 tonnes and Portugal rising from below 2 to around 5. However, some key comparisons are unclear or inaccurate. Sweden and Portugal are approximately equal in 2007, but Italy is higher, at about 7.6 tonnes; the claim that Sweden emitted the same amount as “Portugal and Italy” is therefore misleading. Italy also did not remain stable: it rose from about 4.3 to 7.6 tonnes, then levelled off. Develop the overview with these distinctions and report the main changes more precisely.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, an overview and two paragraphs of supporting details. This gives the reader a coherent overall route through the information. Some linking and referencing, however, are unclear or mechanical. For example, “While, Portugal showed…” is not smoothly connected to the preceding sentence, and “in the 2007 it emitted same amount” leaves the comparison unclear. The final paragraph moves from Sweden to Italy, but the relationships between their trends could be signposted more clearly. Use complete, logically connected comparisons and organise details consistently—for example, describe the two declining/rising series together, then compare Italy and Portugal. This would make progression easier to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant topic vocabulary, including “emissions,” “metric tonnes,” “reduced,” and “slight increase,” so the subject is generally understandable. However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or imprecise: “total carbon dioxide … emissions by person” is awkward, “popular country” does not describe an emissions ranking, and “controlled” suggests deliberate regulation rather than a low figure. Spelling errors such as “Potugal,” “crbon,” and “emissin” also weaken clarity. Aim for precise chart language and check spelling carefully. Phrases such as “per capita emissions,” “recorded the lowest level,” and “rose steadily” would describe the data more naturally and accurately.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt a mix of simple statements and more complex forms, including “Overall, it can be seen that…” and a contrast introduced by “However.” Meaning is usually recoverable, but grammatical control is uneven. There are errors in sentence boundaries and punctuation, as in “United Kingdom.While,” and in articles and sentence construction, such as “in the start highest CO2 emission was noted.” The phrase “in the 2007 it emitted same amount” also lacks the article needed before “same amount.” Some sentences combine several ideas without clear grammatical links. Practise accurate past-tense reporting and build comparisons in complete sentences, while checking articles, commas and spacing after full stops.

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