Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · IELTS Academic Practice Accelerator · 2026-11-11

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

The line graph shows the number of first time visitors and returning visitors who visited Caryl Island from 2000 to 2008.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

The line graph shows the number of first time visitors and returning visitors who visited Caryl Island from 2000 to 2008.

Student answer (Band 5.5)

The line graph illustrates changes in Caryl Island between 2000 and 2008. The line graph shows the number of first time visitor and returning visitor of Caryl Island.

Overall, returning visitor showed up an upward trend, whereas first time visitor declined from 2000 to 2002. Meanwhile, both of the visitors followed upward trend from the year of 2002.

At the beginning of the period, returning visitors stood at below 4000. It then rose gradually to 10000 in 2002, before reaching a peak of 16000 and fell below the number of 14000 in 2008.

In contrast, new visitors started at 8000 and fell steadily to 4000 in 2002. Then it again rose and goes to 12000 in 2008. Meanwhile, in 2001 both of the visitors fluctuated to 6000 they are same in number at that time. Overall, returning visitors are always more then the new visitors from the year 2001 to 2008.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the two visitor groups and report several key movements, including the fall in first-time visitors to about 4,000 in 2002 and the rise in returning visitors to a peak around 2006. However, the overview is not fully accurate: returning visitors did not continue rising overall, as they fell from about 15,200 in 2006 to 13,400 in 2008. Some figures and comparisons are also misreported: first-time visitors reached about 11,800, not 12,000 exactly, and the graph gives no 2001 data or point where both groups were equal. The claim that returning visitors were always higher from 2001 is therefore unsupported. The response is 142 words, below the 150-word minimum; add a little more accurate comparison and detail.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a basic overall structure, moving from an introduction and overview to details about returning visitors and then first-time visitors. Linking expressions such as “Overall,” “At the beginning,” and “In contrast” help signal the intended relationships. However, progression is weakened by repetition: the opening describes the graph twice, and the final sentence repeats a broad comparison without clear support. Some connections are confusing, especially “Meanwhile, in 2001,” because the graph only provides data for 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2008. The overview also says both groups rose after 2002, but the returning-visitors series later declines. Organise the body by comparing both groups at the same dates, and use linking words only when the relationship is accurate.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a relevant basic range for describing trends, including “declined,” “rose,” “peak,” and “fell,” so the main subject is generally understandable. However, several phrases are repetitive or imprecise, such as “the number of first time visitor and returning visitor” and “new visitors,” which is less consistent with the graph’s category label. There are also noticeable word-choice and collocation problems: “returning visitor showed up an upward trend” and “fluctuated to 6000” do not express the data naturally. Use standard chart language and keep category names consistent. For example, “the number of returning visitors increased” and “the figures were equal” are clearer and more precise ways to describe the intended information.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mixture of simple sentences and longer structures, including a contrast with “whereas” and a sequence using “before.” However, errors in agreement, articles, plurals and verb forms are frequent enough to make some sentences awkward. Examples include “first time visitor” where a plural form is needed, “returning visitor showed,” and “Then it again rose and goes to 12000,” which shifts tense and has an unclear subject. The sentence beginning “Meanwhile, in 2001” also lacks a clear grammatical connection between its clauses. Use past tense consistently for the completed period, check subject–verb agreement, and make each sentence’s subject explicit. A careful edit of these patterns would make your comparisons easier to follow.

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