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 graph demonstrate the average carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions per person for 40 years in several countries. The graph includes four countries - United Kingdom, Sweden, Italy and Portugal. Each country is represented by line or different dotted lines. The unit of (CO2) emissions is given in the tonnes.

The graph shows an increasing trend for the Italy and Portugal over the years. Whereas it followed a decreasing trend for the United Kingdom. On the other hand, the CO2 emissions per person in the Sweden shows an increase in the first ten years and decreases in the following years.

The graph depict that the average CO2 emissions per person in United Kingdom is higher than the other countries maintaining the range between 8 and 12. After 1977, the average CO2 emissions per person in Sweden drastically fall and in 2007, it became equal to the average CO2 emissions per person in Portugal which is less than 6 tones. The amount of average CO2 emissions increases in Italy from 1967 to 1997. But remain same for the next ten years.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the overall directions for all four countries: Italy and Portugal rise, the UK declines, and Sweden rises before falling. You also make useful comparisons, noting that the UK remains highest and that Sweden and Portugal finish at a similar level. However, the account is only partly developed: it gives few precise figures and does not clearly describe key turning points, such as Sweden peaking in 1977 or Italy overtaking Sweden by 1987. The claim that the UK stays “between 8 and 12” is accurate but broad, while “less than 6” for Portugal and Sweden at the end could be more precise. Include an overview of the main contrasts and support it with selected data.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a basic, sensible structure: an introduction, a paragraph summarising broad trends, and a final paragraph with comparisons and details. This makes the information generally understandable. However, progression is limited because several points are repeated, particularly the description of rising and falling trends. The opening also spends space explaining that the graph includes four countries and uses lines, rather than moving directly to the main features. Some linking is awkward: “Whereas it followed a decreasing trend” is a fragment, and “On the other hand” does not clearly signal the relationship between the points. Organise the body around the main comparisons—for example, the higher-emission countries and the lower-emission countries—and use linking phrases that show the relationship precisely.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant topic vocabulary, including “emissions per person,” “increasing trend,” “decreasing trend,” and “drastically fall,” so the subject is clear. However, the range is limited and some expressions are repetitive or imprecise, especially repeated use of “average CO2 emissions per person.” There are also noticeable word-choice and form errors: “the Italy,” “the Sweden,” “tones,” and “represented by line or different dotted lines.” “Drastically fall” is not the most natural description for the gradual decline shown. Use concise alternatives such as “per-capita emissions,” “rose,” “declined,” and “levelled off,” and check country names and unit terminology. More precise vocabulary would help distinguish steady changes from sharp ones.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and more complex sentence forms, and the reader can usually follow the main comparisons. However, errors in agreement, articles, verb forms, and sentence construction occur often enough to make the writing less controlled. For example, “The graph demonstrate” should be “The graph demonstrates,” while “the average … in the Sweden shows” has both article and agreement problems. “Whereas it followed a decreasing trend” is an incomplete clause, and “But remain same” lacks a subject and a correctly formed verb. There are also awkward constructions such as “the average … in United Kingdom is higher.” Practise complete sentences with clear subjects and consistent past-tense reporting, such as “UK emissions declined, whereas Italy’s rose.”

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