Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-11-02

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 5.0)

The line chart illustrates the average carbon dioxide Co2 emissions per head in various cities name uk, portugal , Italy and sweden over the time period

overall, united kingdom had the highest number of metric tonnes while portugal showed the lowest figure at all . in contrast sweden decreased throughout the years

to begins with , the uk decreased from 10.5 1967 to 8.5 in 2007. whereas , sweden rose 8.2 in 1967 to 10.2 in 1977 . however, it decreased from 10.2 to 7 in 1987 and 5.7 in 2007.

to ends with . the Italy stood at 4.1 in 1967 and increased from 4.1 to 7.8 in 2007 .while sweden constituted at 0.6 in 1967 and grow at 5.6 in 2007

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5

You identify the broad pattern that the UK had the highest emissions and that Sweden declined after its peak, and you include some relevant figures. However, the overview is incomplete: Portugal did not remain the lowest throughout, as it rose to about the same level as Sweden by 2007, while Italy increased and then levelled off. There is also a major data error in the final paragraph: the figures of 0.6 and 5.6 are attributed to Sweden, although they appear intended to describe Portugal; Sweden began at about 8.6. Several reported values are approximate but broadly acceptable. The response is under the required 150 words, and the limited coverage leaves important comparisons and trends underdeveloped.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5

The response has an opening, an overview and two body paragraphs, so there is an attempt to organise the information into sections. Some sequencing is also apparent through references to 1967, 1977, 1987 and 2007. However, the progression is difficult to follow because the body paragraphs do not group the countries or trends clearly, and the final paragraph shifts from Italy to Sweden without a clear transition. Connectors such as “whereas,” “however” and “to ends with” are awkward or do not clearly express the relationship between the data. Use a clear overview followed by paragraphs comparing the declining series with the rising ones, and make each reference to a country unambiguous.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some task-relevant vocabulary, including “emissions,” “metric tonnes,” “decreased,” “rose” and “increased,” which allows the reader to recognise the subject and general trends. There is some variation in how changes are described, but the range is limited and several choices are inaccurate or unnatural, such as “highest number,” “lowest figure at all” and “the Italy stood at.” The phrase “various cities name” is also unsuitable because the graph compares countries, not cities. More precise terms for describing trends and comparisons would improve clarity. Check spelling and capitalisation of country names and “CO₂,” and use standard chart language consistently.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response attempts both simple statements and more complex comparisons, for example, “whereas, Sweden rose…” and “however, it decreased…”. However, these structures are often incomplete or inaccurately formed. Examples include “to begins with,” “the UK decreased from 10.5 1967 to 8.5 in 2007,” and “Sweden constituted at 0.6,” where verb forms, sentence construction or prepositions are faulty. Missing articles and punctuation problems also occur, and several clauses are joined with full stops or commas in ways that interrupt the meaning. Aim first for complete sentences with a clear subject and verb, then practise accurate past-tense reporting and punctuation in comparisons.

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.