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)

This graph illustrates the difference of per person carbon emissions of four european countries in the era of four decades. This graph describes the per carbn emissions by United Kingdom, Sweden, Italy and Portugal. During the forty years the carbon emissions were increased by Italy.

In 1967 United Kingdms had highest carbon emissions while Portugal had minimum carbon emissions. As the decades passed till 2007 per person carbon emission of Portugal increased. In contrast to this United Kingdom has lowered the carbon emissions. Sweden has variable graph of average carbon emissions. The carbon emissions by Swede has increased till 1977 but after that the trend of carbon emissions has decreased. Italy and Portugal shares the same trend of incrase in carbon emissions but Italy has more carbon emissions than Portugal.

In this graph we came to know that United Kingdom and Sweden adopted the techniquues to lower their carbon emissions whether the carbon emissions by Italy and Portugal increased about 7.5 metric tons and 5.5 metric tons respectively.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify several important features: the UK starts highest and declines, Portugal starts lowest and rises, Sweden peaks in 1977 before falling, and Italy and Portugal generally increase. The closing comparison also gives approximate final figures for Italy and Portugal. However, the overview is not sufficiently precise: saying the UK and Sweden “adopted the techniques” to reduce emissions introduces an unsupported explanation, and the response does not clearly state that the UK remains highest in 2007 or that Italy overtakes Sweden. Some trends are described broadly without key comparisons or accurate stages. Focus on what the graph shows, avoid explaining why trends occurred, and summarise the main rankings and changes across the period.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a basic overall structure, moving from an introduction to country trends and then a concluding statement. Linking phrases such as “In contrast” and “but after that” help signal comparisons and changes. However, progression is sometimes repetitive: the opening repeats that the graph concerns emissions in four countries, and several sentences list trends without grouping the countries into clear comparisons. References such as “this” in “In contrast to this” are not fully clear, while the final sentence shifts from reporting data to an unsupported explanation. Organise the body into clearer comparisons—for example, declining countries versus rising countries—and use linking expressions only where they clarify the relationship.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant topic vocabulary, including “carbon emissions,” “average,” “increased,” “decreased,” and “metric tons,” so the main subject is generally clear. There is some repetition of “carbon emissions” and “graph,” and several word choices or collocations are inaccurate, such as “difference of per person carbon emissions” and “variable graph.” Spelling errors including “carbn,” “incrase,” and “techniquues” also reduce accuracy. Aim for concise, natural chart language such as “per-capita emissions,” “fluctuated,” “rose,” and “fell.” Check country names and spelling carefully, and avoid using “adopted techniques” when the graph provides no evidence about causes.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mixture of simple statements and longer comparisons, including “The carbon emissions by Swede has increased till 1977 but after that the trend … has decreased.” However, errors in verb forms, agreement, articles, and sentence construction are frequent enough to make some sentences awkward. For example, “the carbon emissions were increased” should be “emissions increased,” and “Italy and Portugal shares” should be “Italy and Portugal share.” “United Kingdms had highest” also needs the article and correct country name: “the United Kingdom had the highest.” Practise accurate past-tense reporting and subject–verb agreement, then build longer sentences with clear clauses and punctuation.

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