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 illustrates mean carbon dioxide emissions per person in distinct nations from 1967 to 2007.

Overall, a citizen from the United Kingdom released more carbon dioxide than any other countries included in this chart within the given time period. Portugal remained at the bottom throughout this time frame.

The United Kingdom held first place in terms of emitting most carbon dioxide in 1967,approximately 11 metric tonnes and it remained on top all the way to 2007,despite releasing around 9 metric tonnes which is lesser comparatively to it's previous years' records. The closest to the the United Kingdom in 1967 was Sweden. A swedish person emitted around 9 metric tonnes on average in 1967. Though it saw a steep rise between 1967 and 1977, climbing over 10 metric tonnes, it gradually declined over the period, culminating below 6 metric tonnes in 2007.

Ital

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5

You identify the main contrast correctly: the UK had the highest emissions throughout, while Portugal began at the lowest level, and you accurately describe Sweden’s rise to a peak in 1977 followed by a decline. However, the response is incomplete: it stops at “Ital” and does not report Italy’s substantial increase or Portugal’s steady rise, so important series and comparisons are missing. The overview also says Portugal “remained at the bottom throughout,” which is inaccurate because it reached the same level as Sweden by 2007. The response is 143 words, below the required 150. To improve, complete the account of all four countries, check the final-year comparison, and provide a concise overview of the major trends.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, and a paragraph describing the UK and Sweden. This gives the reader a basic route through the information, and phrases such as “Though” and “over the period” help connect ideas. However, the progression is incomplete because the final paragraph begins “Ital” and then ends, leaving the discussion unfinished and preventing a balanced comparison of all four lines. Some linking is also awkward or repetitive, as in “all the way to 2007” and “within the given time period.” Organise the body into complete, clearly focused comparisons—for example, the two declining series and the two rising series—and ensure each paragraph reaches a clear conclusion.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use a reasonable range of task-related vocabulary, including “mean carbon dioxide emissions,” “steep rise,” “gradually declined,” and “culminating,” which communicates the main movements. There are also attempts at more formal phrasing, such as “held first place” and “in terms of emitting.” Some choices are unnatural or imprecise: “a citizen … released” is less suitable than describing emissions per person, and “lesser comparatively to” is awkward. “The closest to the the United Kingdom” contains an unnecessary repetition, while “records” does not clearly describe annual levels. Aim for precise collocations such as “emissions per capita,” “was the second-highest figure,” and “fell to approximately.” Proofread for repeated words and use consistent terminology.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and complex sentences, including the contrast in “Though it saw a steep rise …, it gradually declined,” and most of the intended meaning remains understandable. Some grammatical and punctuation errors are noticeable, however. In “more … than any other countries,” the comparison requires “any other country”; “it's previous years' records” should use the possessive “its”; and “The closest to the the United Kingdom” repeats the article. There are also missing spaces after commas in “1967,approximately” and “2007,despite.” The long UK sentence would be clearer if divided or structured more carefully. Continue using varied sentence forms, but check agreement, possessives, articles, and punctuation during revision.

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