Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-10-27

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 presents the average emissions of carbon dioxide per person in metric tonnes of four countries from 1967 to 2007.

The emission quantity of carbon dioxide has been displayed in metric tonnes and four countries named- United Kingdom, Sweden, Italy and Portugal data has been shared here. In 1967, United Kingdom had the highest highest emission which was 11 metric ton. But it has decreased in 2007 and reach at 9. Sweden had shown highest increase in 1977, but it decreased significantly on 2007 with a mark of almost 5.5 metric tonnes. Watching rest two countries, Italy and Portugal had less emission rate in 1967, but over the time it has increased rapidly and reach on their highest level in 2007. Though their rate dropped a bit in 1987, but gradually it increased again on the following year.

1977 was the overall increase for every mentioned nation, apart from that average carbon dioxide emission had varied from nation to nation and it has been showed in the graph properly.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the chart’s subject and cover all four countries, with relevant figures such as the UK’s fall from about 11 to 9 tonnes and Sweden’s decline to roughly 5.5. You also note the broad rise in Italy and Portugal. However, the main overview is incomplete and some details are inaccurate: 1977 was not an overall increase for every country, since UK emissions edged down, and Italy and Portugal did not both drop in 1987—both rose. Italy reached a high of about 7.6 in 1997 and then remained level, rather than reaching its highest level only in 2007. Select the key contrasts more accurately and summarise the overall ranking and trends clearly.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has a basic structure, beginning with an introduction and then describing the data, and the country names help the reader follow the subject. However, the progression is not consistently clear: the second paragraph repeats that the graph shows emissions, while the final paragraph introduces the claim about 1977 without connecting it clearly to the preceding comparisons. Linking phrases such as “But,” “Though,” and “apart from that” are sometimes used inaccurately or awkwardly, which weakens the relationships between ideas. Organise the body around contrasting trends—for example, the declining UK and Sweden figures versus the rising Italian and Portuguese figures—and use clear references and transitions.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant topic vocabulary, including “emissions,” “metric tonnes,” “decreased,” and “increased,” so the reader can understand the subject and broad trends. However, the range is limited and several expressions are imprecise or unnatural, such as “emission quantity,” “highest increase,” and “reach on their highest level.” Repetition of “emission” and “increased” also limits flexibility. Choose standard chart language and collocations, such as “per-capita emissions,” “peaked at,” “fell to,” and “rose steadily.” Take care to distinguish a rise from a peak or a plateau, since precise vocabulary is important when describing the data.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and longer sentences, including a contrast with “Though,” but control is inconsistent. Errors in verb forms and agreement appear in phrases such as “it has decreased … and reach” and “Italy and Portugal had … increased … and reach”; the past-tense description should use consistent forms such as “fell” and “reached.” There are also problems with articles, plurals, and sentence construction, for example “11 metric ton” and the long sentence beginning “The emission quantity … four countries named.” The sentence starting “Though their rate dropped…” is not well integrated with the main clause. Practise accurate past-tense reporting and build complex sentences with a clear subject and main clause.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.