Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-11-04

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 graph below presents average carbon dioxide releases per person in the UK, Sweden, Italy and portugal in the period between [redacted phone].

Overall, amount of carbon emissions in UK gradually decreased throughout the period. While, in Sweden it rose slightly at first and significantly dropped after, in other countries like Italy and Portugal it rose sharply.

In the period of 1967 and 1977 the amount of carbon emissions in Sweden rose from over 8 to more than 10 metric tonnes, in 1977 and 1987 it dropped to less than 8 metric tonnes, after that it gradually dropped to less than 6 metric tonnes in 2007. In contrast, UK had a slight decrease in carbon emissions, dropping from over 10 to more than 8 metric tonnes.

However, in Italy number of carbon emissions increased sharply from more than 4 to over 6 metric tonnes in the period of 1967 and 1977, after this, it kept raising until the 2007

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the main direction of change for the UK and Sweden, and correctly note that Italy and Portugal increased overall. However, the report only partially covers the graph: Portugal is not discussed in the body, and the final sentence about Italy is unfinished, so its later plateau at about 7.6 tonnes is not reported. The overview also says Italy and Portugal rose “sharply,” which is too broad for Italy, whose increase levelled off by 1997. Include the key comparison that the UK remained highest while Portugal began lowest and rose to match Sweden by 2007. More complete coverage and clearer selection of the main features would strengthen the response.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, an overview and paragraphs describing trends, and linking phrases such as “Overall,” “In contrast” and “However” help signal relationships. The progression is weakened because the final paragraph stops mid-idea (“until the 2007”) and Portugal receives no supporting detail, leaving the account unbalanced. Some transitions are also awkward: “While” begins a fragment after the first overview sentence, and “in the period of 1967 and 1977” is repeated rather than expressed more smoothly. Organise the body by grouping the declining series and the rising series, and ensure each paragraph develops a complete comparison.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant topic vocabulary, including “average carbon dioxide releases,” “metric tonnes,” “gradually decreased” and “dropped,” so the reader can generally understand the trends. There is some variety in how changes are described, but several choices are imprecise or unnatural: “carbon emissions” is repeated, “kept raising” is not the appropriate expression for a figure that increases, and “carbon dioxide releases” is less natural than “emissions.” The country name “portugal” also needs a capital letter. Aim for accurate collocations and a wider set of trend verbs, while avoiding claims such as “sharply” when the increase is more gradual or levels off.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, including a contrast with “While” and a time clause beginning “after that.” Meaning is usually recoverable, but errors in sentence construction and punctuation are noticeable. “While, in Sweden it rose…” is not a complete, well-formed contrast, and “in the period of 1967 and 1977” uses an incorrect preposition pattern. The final sentence is incomplete and lacks a full stop. There are also awkward article and number patterns in “in Italy number of carbon emissions.” Use complete clauses, check prepositions in time expressions (“between … and …”), and punctuate each finished sentence clearly.

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