Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-11-01

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 the average carbon dioxide emission in metric tonnes per person in the UK, sweden, Italy and Portugal from 1967 to 2007. Overall, in the start, carbon emission in the UK was higher than the other countries as decreased over the time but still remained at the top. Italy and Portugal recorded rise in carbon dioxide emission per person throughout the period, while Sweden had decreased carbon dioxide emission. In 1967, the UK was at the top in the emission of carbon dioxide and recorded about 11 tonnes. Whereas, Sweden had 9 tonnes of carbon dioxide gas emission and Italy released more than 4 tonnes in this year. In portugal, about 1 metric tonnes gas was released. In 1987, the UK showed declined in its emission that was about less than 10 tonnes but still remained at the top of the chart. In this year, Italy and portugal recorded sudden rise in its emission rates.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the graph’s subject and give a relevant overview: the UK remains highest despite declining, Italy and Portugal rise, and Sweden falls. The opening figures are also broadly accurate: the UK is about 11 tonnes, Sweden around 9, Italy just over 4, and Portugal about 1. However, the report covers only the opening years and gives limited detail about the later period. The 1987 paragraph mentions rises in Italy and Portugal but does not report their approximate values or explain that Sweden had fallen sharply. It also omits the important 2007 comparison, when Italy and Portugal are level at about 7.6 and 5.4 tonnes respectively, while the UK remains highest. Develop the overview with these end-point comparisons and report the main stages more fully.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction and overview are followed by paragraphs describing data. This gives the reader a basic route through the information, and phrases such as “In 1967” and “In 1987” help signal time. However, progression is limited because the account stops at 1987 and does not organise the full period into a clear comparison. Some linking is awkward or incomplete, particularly “Whereas, Sweden…” and “as decreased over the time,” so relationships between ideas are not always clear. The repeated focus on individual years also leaves the report without a concluding comparison. Grouping the countries by trend, then comparing their 1967 and 2007 positions, would create a more coherent progression and make the key contrasts easier to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant task vocabulary, including “average carbon dioxide emission,” “metric tonnes,” “declined,” and “rise,” so the topic is generally clear. There is also some attempt to vary expressions, such as “recorded” and “released.” However, the range is limited and several phrases are unnatural or imprecise, including “in the start,” “was at the top in the emission,” and “sudden rise in its emission rates.” Repetition of “emission” and “carbon dioxide” also makes the account less flexible. Pay attention to collocation and word forms: “emissions per person” is more natural than “emission per person,” and “rose steadily” better describes the gradual increases shown than “sudden rise.” Consistent capitalisation of “Sweden” and “Portugal” would also improve presentation.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The response attempts both simple and more complex sentences, including a contrast in “Overall…” and a time clause beginning “In 1987.” However, control is uneven, and several errors make relationships between clauses difficult to follow. For example, “as decreased over the time” lacks a clear subject and has an incorrect verb form; “Italy and Portugal recorded rise” needs an article or plural noun; and “In this year, Italy and portugal recorded sudden rise in its emission rates” has problems with articles and pronoun agreement. The sentence beginning “Whereas” is also left as a fragment. Use complete clauses with clear subjects and check articles, agreement, and verb forms. A wider range of accurately controlled sentence patterns would make the comparisons clearer.

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