Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-10-24

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 compares and contrasts the average amount of carbon dioxide released each individuals in the UK, Sweden, Italy and Portugal, from 1967 to 2007.

Overall, it is clear that the United Kingdon was the dominant country in the emmisons of corbon dioxide, whereas Sweden was slightly fluctuated. Although Portugal followed upward trend, it was the lowest category among all mentioned countries.

Looking at the data in more detail, UK started at just above 10 tonnes in 1967 and gradually decreasing throughout the period, ended at 8.5 tonnes but it it remained the dominant category. In contrast, Portugal and Italy represented upward trend, Portugal stood at just above 1 tonnes in the beginning and then sharply rose to roughly 5 tonnes in 1997, bfore ended at just below 6 tonnes by the end of the period.

On the other hand, Italy and Sweden show fluctuation over the period

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the overall dominance of the UK and the broad rise in Portugal and Italy, and you include some relevant figures, such as the UK’s fall from just over 10 tonnes to about 8.5 and Portugal’s increase to around 5 tonnes by 1997. However, the report is only partial: the final paragraph stops before explaining Sweden’s pattern or Italy’s figures, and the overview’s claim that Sweden “slightly fluctuated” is too vague to capture its peak in 1977 followed by a marked decline. Portugal was not the lowest throughout, since it finished level with Sweden at about 5.4 tonnes. The response is also one word below the required minimum. Complete the comparisons and report the key turning points more accurately.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure, moving from an introduction to an overview and then to details, and phrases such as “Overall” and “In contrast” help signal relationships. However, progression is incomplete: the final paragraph begins “On the other hand” but ends without developing the comparison between Italy and Sweden. The overview also groups trends without clearly setting out the main contrasts, while the detail paragraphs do not cover all four countries in a balanced way. Some linking is therefore more signposting than effective connection. To improve, organise the body by contrasting the declining UK and Sweden with the rising Italy and Portugal, and ensure each paragraph develops its stated focus to a clear conclusion.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use a reasonable range of task-related vocabulary, including “average amount,” “gradually decreasing,” “upward trend,” and “sharply rose,” so the main trends are generally understandable. There are also attempts at more formal phrasing, such as “dominant country” and “represented upward trend.” However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or awkward: “released each individuals” does not fit the meaning, and “Sweden was slightly fluctuated” is not a natural expression. Spelling errors such as “Kingdon,” “emmisons,” “corbon,” and “bfore” also reduce accuracy. Aim for precise chart language, for example “emissions per person,” “Sweden’s figure fluctuated,” and “showed an upward trend,” and proofread spelling.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of sentence forms, including a complex overview beginning “Although Portugal followed upward trend,” and comparisons introduced by “whereas” and “In contrast.” Meaning is usually recoverable, but some grammatical errors remain. In the introduction, “released each individuals” has an incorrect noun phrase; “Portugal followed upward trend” needs an article; and “UK started … and gradually decreasing … ended” shifts between incompatible verb forms. The sentence “it it remained” also contains a repeated subject, while “Portugal stood … and then sharply rose … bfore ended” lacks a correctly formed final verb phrase. Use consistent past-tense verbs (“started,” “decreased,” “ended”) and check articles, agreement, and sentence completion when editing.

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