IELTS 11 Writing Model Essay (Free sample)
Test 3 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.
Write at least 150 words.
Test 3 Task 1 Model Essay by an Expert
The graph displays an average person’s carbon dioxide emissions in several European countries between the years 1967 and 2007.
The United Kingdom (UK) and Sweden show an inverse pattern to Italy and Portugal. Whilst in the UK and Sweden, the average individual’s CO2 emissions decreased in the forty year period displayed, citizens of Italy and Portugal saw a steady increase in emissions. Emissions by Italians and the Portuguese increased at roughly the same rate during this time, although Portuguese emissions remained consistently around 2.5 tonnes lower per person than Italian emissions.
Despite displaying an overall decrease in CO2 emissions per person between 1967 and 2007, people from the United Kingdom remained the highest emitters of CO2. The decrease is very gradual, with a drop of just 2 metric tonnes in 40 years. This is compared to the more drastic decrease of roughly 4 metric tonnes of CO2 for the average Swede.
The Swedish trajectory is the most erratic of the four countries displayed. Rather than a gradual increase or decline, it shows a sharp peak in CO2 emissions in 1977, before a sharp decrease between 1977 and 1987, when the decrease begins to level off. At the end of its decline in 2007, Swedish emissions match those of Portugal at the end of its incline (5.5 metric tonnes).
In summary, two countries experienced a steady incline in individual average carbon emissions, while two experienced a decline: one steady and gradual (the UK) and one erratic and steep (Sweden).
(248 words)
