Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · 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 6.5)

The given graph illustrates the average emissions of carbon dioxide per person in four countries from 1967 to 2007.

Overall, the data show two main trends: the emissions expressed in metric tonnes increased for Portugal and Italy, while for Sweden and the UK they decreased. Sweden compared to the UK fluctuated more.

CO2 emissions in Italy and Portugal started lower: the first one was around 4 metric tonnes, the second one was less than 2 in 1967. Both rose from 1967 to 1997, then they remained mostly stable between 1997 and 2007, they were around 8 and 6, respectively.

In contrast, Sweden (around 8) and the United Kingdom (approximately 10) started at an higher level of emissions than the other two countries. The final outcome registered a drop for both countries, even though their fluctuations during the given period were different. The quantity of emissions in the UK steadly fell from 1967 to 2007 (more than 8), while the ones in Sweden had a peak 1977, where the emissions were more than 10. Subsequently, between 1977 and 2007 it decreased continuosly (less than 6).

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

You provide a clear overview of the contrasting directions: emissions rose in Italy and Portugal, while they fell in Sweden and the UK. The main comparisons are supported with relevant details, including the UK’s gradual decline and Sweden’s 1977 peak followed by a sustained fall. Most figures and trends are consistent with the graph. However, some descriptions are imprecise: Italy and Portugal level off only in the final decade, and their 2007 values are about 7.6 and 5.4 tonnes, rather than “around 8 and 6.” The overview could also identify the UK as the highest emitter throughout and Portugal as the lowest initially. Overall, the key features are addressed and supported, though a few comparisons are generalised.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The response is organised into a clear introduction, overview and two detail paragraphs, with the countries grouped effectively by their broad trends. Progression is easy to follow, and linking expressions such as “Overall,” “In contrast” and “Subsequently” help signal relationships between ideas. The comparison between the two initially lower-emitting countries and the other pair is particularly clear. Some sentence connections are less controlled: “Both rose from 1967 to 1997, then they remained mostly stable …, they were around 8 and 6” joins several ideas with commas, making the relationship slightly awkward. The reference “the first one” and “the second one” is also less direct than naming Italy and Portugal. More precise linking and referencing would make the flow smoother.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of task-related vocabulary, including “emissions,” “metric tonnes,” “fluctuated,” “peak” and “remained mostly stable.” These choices communicate the main trends clearly, and there is some variation in how changes are described. However, several word choices and collocations are imprecise or unnatural, such as “the final outcome registered a drop,” “the quantity of emissions,” and “the ones in Sweden.” Spelling errors in “steadly” and “continuosly” also reduce accuracy. Aim for concise, conventional chart language—for example, “emissions fell steadily” or “Sweden’s figure peaked”—and check spelling carefully. This would make the vocabulary more precise and natural while preserving the clear meaning of the current response.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple and more complex sentence forms, including contrast clauses and time relationships, as in “even though their fluctuations … were different” and “while … they decreased.” Meaning remains clear throughout. Some grammatical errors remain, particularly with articles, agreement and sentence boundaries. For example, “at an higher level” should use “a,” and “between 1977 and 2007 it decreased” has an unclear singular subject because the writer is referring to Sweden’s emissions. The sentence ending “they were around 8 and 6, respectively” is attached to the preceding clause with a comma rather than being clearly separated. There is also a missing article in “had a peak 1977.” Review article use and make the subject of each trend explicit to improve control.

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