Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-10-28

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 compares mean of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions on each individual in the United Kingdom, Sweden, Italy amd Portugal between 1967 and 2007.

Generally, United Kingdiom was highest in the emission of CO2 by each person after that it was Sweden which was fall drastically. However, the lowest emmition was done by Portugal.

Initially, United Kingdom was on highest in CO2 emission by each person by approximately 11 metric tonnes in 1967 which was decrease slightly at 9 metric tonnes in 2007. However, second highest is Sweden which increased at initial time while it is plummet at considerably 5 metric tonnes. Meanwhile, Italy was 4 metric tonnes emissions by per person in 1967 wherein, it was significantly increase over time at more than 7 metric tonnes.

In contrast, Portugal in 1967 was at 1 metric tonnes CO2 emissions by average per person which was drametically increase over time which was 5 metric tonnes in 2007.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the overall contrast between the UK’s high emissions and Portugal’s low starting point, and you report several approximate figures that broadly match the graph. However, the overview is incomplete: it does not clearly state that the UK and Sweden declined overall, while Italy and Portugal rose, or that Italy overtook Sweden and finished second. Some details are also imprecise: Sweden peaked in 1977 before falling, rather than simply being the “second highest” throughout, and Italy ended at about 7.6 tonnes, not merely “more than 7.” The response selects relevant features, but comparisons and key changes are underdeveloped. Make the overview more comprehensive and describe the countries’ relative positions at the end of the period.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, a general statement, and paragraphs describing the countries’ figures. This gives the reader an overall route through the information. Linking expressions such as “However,” “Meanwhile,” and “In contrast” show an effort to connect comparisons, although some are used awkwardly or do not express the relationship clearly. For example, “Generally” introduces an overview, but the sentence that follows is difficult to interpret, and the final paragraph isolates Portugal rather than integrating its rise with Italy’s. Grouping the declining countries together and the rising countries together would create clearer progression. Use reference words and transitions only where their relationship is precise.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some task-relevant vocabulary, including “emissions,” “metric tonnes,” “increased,” and “decrease,” and you attempt more descriptive terms such as “plummet” and “dramatically.” However, word choice and collocation are often inaccurate, which makes parts of the report difficult to understand: “emission was done by Portugal” and “was on highest” are not natural ways to describe the data. There are also noticeable spelling errors, including “Kingdiom,” “emmition,” and “drametically,” as well as the typo “amd.” Aim for accurate, conventional language for describing graphs rather than forcing dramatic vocabulary. A small set of precise verbs—“rose,” “fell,” “peaked,” and “remained stable”—would improve clarity.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, including clauses introduced by “which” and “while,” and the main topic is generally understandable. However, several sentence patterns are not controlled accurately. For example, “United Kingdom was on highest” lacks a natural grammatical construction, while “which was decrease slightly” uses the wrong verb form. In “Italy was 4 metric tonnes emissions,” the relationship between the subject and the measurement is also unclear. Articles and prepositions are sometimes missing or misplaced, as in “between 1967 and 2007” being preceded by “on each individual.” Build sentences around clear subjects and verbs, such as “UK emissions fell from…” and “Italy’s figure rose to…,” then check tense and agreement.

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