Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-10-26

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 below illustrate average carbon dioxide emissions in metric tonnes per person in the United Kingdom, Sweden, Italy and Porugal between 1967 and 2007.

Overall, In 1967 United Kingdom was highest number of carbon emmission in metric tonnes, whereas Portugal was recorded at lowest number of producing carbon dioxide.

In 1967, United Kingdom recoded 11 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide, while Sweden begin from 9 metric tonnes of CO2 and reached 10.5 tonnes in 1977. United Kingdom declined from 11 to 10.5 in 1977. Following this, Sweden droped from 10.5 to 7 metric tonnes while, 10 metric tonnes CO2 emissions by UK in 1987. After that, 1997 to 2007 UK and Sweden stood at 9 and 5.5 metric tonnes .

On the other hand, Italy recorded from 4.1 metric tonnes of CO2 in 1967, carbon dioxide production was rose from 4.1 to 6.2 in 1977. Italy rose from 6.2 in 1977,7 in 1987, 7.9 in 1997 and finally Italy stood at 7.9 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide by per citizens.

Similary, Portugal begin from 1 metric tonnes in 1967, whrereas it was increasing from 1 to 2 in 1977, 2 to 3.5 and 5 metric tonnes in 1997. Finally, Portugal stood at 5 metric tonnes emission by each individuals.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You cover all four countries and report several key figures, including the UK’s high starting point, Portugal’s low starting point, Sweden’s rise to a peak in 1977, and Italy’s overall increase. However, the overview is limited to the 1967 ranking and does not summarise the main changes across the whole period. It would be stronger to note that emissions generally fell in the UK and Sweden after their peaks, while Italy and Portugal rose, and that Italy finished second-highest. Some figures are also inaccurate: Sweden was about 8.6 tonnes in 1967 and 10.3 in 1977, not 9 and 10.5; Italy ended at about 7.6, not 7.9. The response is relevant, but key trends and comparisons need clearer coverage.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, and separate paragraphs for the northern and southern countries. This helps the reader follow the broad grouping, and transitions such as “On the other hand” and “Similarly” signal comparisons. However, progression within the detail paragraphs is sometimes difficult to track. For example, “Following this, Sweden droped … while, 10 metric tonnes CO2 emissions by UK in 1987” combines two series in an awkward, unclear sentence. The final Portugal sentence also repeats information already given. Use one clear sentence per comparison or time point, and make references explicit. A more informative overview would also give the response a stronger organising thread.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant topic vocabulary, including “metric tonnes,” “declined,” “reached,” and “increasing,” so the reader can generally understand the data being described. However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations are inaccurate, such as “highest number of carbon emission,” “producing carbon dioxide,” and “stood at … emission by each individuals.” These expressions make the description less natural and sometimes obscure whether you mean emissions per person or total production. Spelling errors such as “Porugal,” “recoded,” “droped,” and “Similary” also reduce accuracy. Aim for consistent, precise terms such as “emissions per person,” “rose to,” and “fell to,” and check spelling before submitting.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more extended sentences, and the sequence of years is usually understandable. However, grammatical errors are frequent, and some complex attempts are faulty. For example, “The line graph below illustrate” has subject–verb disagreement, while “carbon dioxide production was rose” uses an incorrect verb construction. Articles and sentence structure are also problematic in “United Kingdom was highest number” and “while, 10 metric tonnes CO2 emissions by UK in 1987.” Tense and agreement errors appear in “Sweden droped” and “Portugal begin.” Practise forming complete clauses with a clear subject and verb, and use past-tense forms consistently for this historical data. More accurate control of these basic patterns would make your comparisons easier to follow.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

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