Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-10-30

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 ghraph shows the ammount of carbon dioxide emmitted by per person in United Kindom, Sweden, Italy, Portigal from 1967 ot 2007

There can be seen that uk and Sweden emission rate decreased over the time. And Graph of Italy and Portugal are showing general trend and both emission rate is increasing over the time period.

From the graph it can be seen that initially United Kingdom was the most carbon dioxide emiting country and Portugal was emitting the least per person.

Furthermore, Sweden and Portugal showed increase from 1967 to 1977 after that Sweden countinue to decrease and reaced to almost 5.5 in 2007. On the other hand Portugal emission rate continue to increase and reached almost 5.5. Italy and Portugal showing similar trend other than Italy maximum peak reach to 6 in 1977 and Portugal peak rose to 5.5 in 1997. Most drastic change can be seen in Sweden maximin peak reached to more then 10in 1977 and after that sharp decrease

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AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the main overall contrast: emissions fell in the UK and Sweden, while Italy and Portugal rose, and you correctly note that the UK began highest and Portugal lowest. You also include relevant comparisons, such as Sweden’s rise to a peak in 1977 followed by a decline. However, some details are inaccurate or unclear: Italy did not peak at 6 in 1977; it rose to about 7.6 by 1997 and then remained stable. Portugal reached about 5.4 in 2007, not its peak in 1997. The overview is relevant, but the account of Italy and the final comparisons need fuller, more accurate development.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable progression from an introduction to an overview and then to selected details. Linking expressions such as “Furthermore” and “On the other hand” help signal comparisons. However, the organisation is weakened by placing several different trends and comparisons in one long final paragraph, and some connections are unclear—for example, “Italy and Portugal showing similar trend other than Italy maximum peak…” The overview also repeats information that is revisited later without adding much detail. Use separate paragraphs for the overall trends and the key figures, and connect each comparison explicitly so the reader can follow the changes over time.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant topic vocabulary, including “emission rate,” “decreased,” “increase,” “peak,” and “drastic change,” so the main subject is generally understandable. There is some attempt to vary wording, but several choices are inaccurate or unnatural, such as “carbon dioxide emitting country” and “Sweden countinue to decrease.” Spelling errors—including “ghraph,” “ammount,” “emmitted,” and “Portigal”—are noticeable and reduce the precision expected in a chart summary. Some phrases are also repetitive, particularly “emission rate” and “reached.” Build a more accurate set of collocations for describing figures and trends, and proofread spelling and word forms.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple statements and longer sentences, and the main trends can usually be understood. However, errors in sentence structure, agreement, articles, and verb forms occur across the response. For example, “There can be seen that” is not a correct construction, while “Italy and Portugal showing similar trend” lacks a finite verb and an article. The sentence beginning “Furthermore” also combines several ideas without clear grammatical control. Punctuation and capitalisation are inconsistent, including the isolated full stop at the end. Practise accurate overview sentences and use shorter, complete sentences when comparing figures; then add complex clauses once the basic structure is secure.

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