Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)
The graph illustrates that, the average emissions of carbon dioxide per person in United Kingdom, Sweden, Italy and Portugal between 1967 and 2007.
As an overview, In United Kingdom and Sweden form 1967 to 1977, there is sudden increase in carbon dioxide releases every person of Sweden, after that it goes on gradually decreasing. In United Kingdom the individuals who were releasing carbon dioxide were gradually decreasing.
To begin with, In United Kingdom there is gradually decreasing the peoples who release carbon dioxide from 1967 to 2007. In Sweden increase in number of peoples from 1967 to 1977 with the emission of carbon dioxide, then there is gradual decrease in emissions of carbon dioxide from 1977 till 2007.
On the other hand, talking about Italy there is gradual increase in the persons who release carbon dioxide then the line is gradually increasing form 1977 to 1997. From 1997 to 2007 it remains constant. Now about portugal the line is gradually increasing till 1987, moreover there is sudden increase from 1987 to 1997. Furthermore it remains constant from 1997 till 2007.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5
You identify the four countries and describe several broad trends, including the UK’s decline, Sweden’s rise to a peak followed by a fall, and Italy’s increase before levelling off. However, the response only partially reports the graph’s main features: it gives no figures and does not compare the countries’ levels or highlight that the UK remained highest while Portugal began lowest and rose to match Sweden by 2007. Some descriptions are inaccurate or unclear: Portugal rises steadily across the period, rather than showing a distinctly sudden increase from 1987 to 1997, and Italy’s increase is not limited to the period after 1977. A more precise overview and selected comparisons would make the report more complete.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0
The response has an identifiable introduction, overview and country-focused paragraphs, and the reader can generally follow the order of the information. However, progression is repetitive: the UK and Sweden trends are stated in the overview and then repeated in the next paragraph, while Italy and Portugal are introduced with conversational transitions such as “On the other hand” and “Now about Portugal.” These links do not always show a clear relationship between the data. Paragraphing could be used more purposefully by grouping the declining series and the rising series, with an overview that summarises the main comparison. This would reduce repetition and create a clearer progression from the overall picture to supporting details.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
You use some relevant topic vocabulary, including “emissions,” “gradually decreasing,” “increase” and “remains constant,” so the general trends are usually understandable. However, the range is limited and several expressions are inaccurate or unnatural, such as “the individuals who were releasing carbon dioxide,” “increase in number of peoples,” and “the line is gradually increasing.” These phrases make it sound as though the number of people is changing, rather than the amount emitted per person. Repeated use of “gradually” and “increase” also limits precision. Use concise graph language and vary verbs to describe the data, for example, “emissions fell,” “rose,” “peaked,” or “levelled off.”
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The response attempts some longer sentences and time clauses, but the range is limited and errors occur frequently. The opening is a sentence fragment: “The graph illustrates that…” has no completed main clause. Other problems include “In United Kingdom and Sweden form 1967 to 1977,” where the sentence structure and preposition are faulty, and “In United Kingdom there is gradually decreasing,” which has an incorrect verb pattern. Capitalisation is inconsistent, as in “In” after a comma and “portugal.” To improve, practise complete subject–verb sentences in the past tense, such as “UK emissions decreased gradually from 1967 to 2007,” and check articles, agreement and punctuation.
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