Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-10-31

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 illustrates the emission of carbon dioxide per person in four different countries (United Kingdom, Italy , Sweden, Portugal) over the years 1767 to 2007. Units are measured in metric tonnes.

Overall, United Kingdom and sweden had carried the most volume of carbon dioxide emission. However, Italy and Portugal were least. At the end of the period, Italy and United Kingdom have become the highest figure.

In 1967, United Kingdom carried 11 metric tonnes emisson of carbon dioxide per person that reached about 9 by the end of period with steady downward movement. Whereas, Sweden contained 9 metric tonnes in the beginning which drastically fell down and reached approximately 5 at the end.

Italy and Portugal demonstrated an upward trend throughout the period. The emission of carbon dioxide in Italy and Portugal reached almost 7 and 5 in 2007 that was 4 and 1 in 1967. Throughout the period, two countries(Portual and Italy) showed upward changes and the remaining two given downward movement.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the broad contrast between the declining emissions in the UK and Sweden and the rising figures in Italy and Portugal, and you include some relevant starting and ending values. However, the overview is not fully accurate: Italy and the UK were not both the highest at the end, since the UK remained highest, while Italy and Portugal were tied at about 7.6 and 5.4 respectively only if comparing Italy with Sweden? More precisely, Italy finished at about 7.6, above Sweden and Portugal. The statement that Italy and Portugal were the “least” also overlooks that this describes only the beginning, not the whole period. The date “1767” is incorrect, and key developments—such as Sweden’s peak in 1977 and Italy overtaking Sweden—are omitted. Select and compare the main stages more precisely to make the report complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, and two paragraphs grouping the declining and rising countries. This grouping helps the reader follow the main trends. However, progression is weakened by unclear or repetitive statements, particularly the final sentence, which repeats that two countries rose and two fell without adding a useful comparison. The overview’s claim that Italy and the UK became the highest figure also conflicts with the later figures and makes the central comparison harder to follow. Some linking is awkward, as in the sentence beginning “Whereas, Sweden…,” which is not smoothly connected to the preceding sentence. Use clearer transitions and ensure each paragraph adds a distinct comparison rather than restating earlier information.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant topic vocabulary such as “upward trend,” “downward movement,” and “metric tonnes,” so the reader can understand the general subject and direction of change. However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations are unnatural: countries do not “carry” emissions, and “contained” is not suitable for describing a figure on a graph. “Most volume” and “highest figure” are also imprecise, while “emisson” and “Portual” are spelling errors. Repeated use of “reached” and “period” further limits flexibility. Aim for accurate graph-reporting language, such as “emitted,” “stood at,” “rose to,” and “declined to,” and check spelling and country names carefully.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt some sentence variety, including a relative clause in “that reached about 9” and a contrast introduced by “Whereas.” However, the range remains limited, and several sentences contain errors or awkward constructions. For example, “United Kingdom and sweden had carried” has an incorrect verb form and tense, while “Italy and United Kingdom have become” shifts inappropriately to the present perfect. The fragment beginning “Whereas, Sweden…” should be joined to a main clause, and “two countries(Portual and Italy)” needs spacing and punctuation around the parenthesis. Articles are also missing in phrases such as “United Kingdom.” Use past simple consistently for the historical data and practise combining clauses into complete, accurately punctuated sentences.

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