Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 8.5 · IELTS Academic Practice Accelerator · 2026-07-28
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 8.5)
The line chart compares the numbers of first-time and returning visitors to Caryl Island between 2000 and 2008.
Overall, the number of first-time visitors increased significantly throughout the period, whereas the figure for returning visitors fluctuated. Despite these fluctuations, both categories ended the period at higher levels than at the beginning.
To begin with, around 8,000 tourists visited Caryl Island for the first time in 2000, compared with approximately 3,000 returning visitors. Over the following two years, the number of first-time visitors fell to about 4,000, while the figure for returning visitors rose sharply to around 10,000. After 2002, the number of first-time visitors increased steadily, reaching approximately 8,000 in 2006 before climbing further to around 12,000 in 2008.
Turning to returning visitors, after the significant increase in 2002, the figure continued to rise gradually despite some minor fluctuations. It reached a peak of just over 15,000 visitors in 2006 before declining to approximately 13,000 by the end of the period. Nevertheless, the number of returning visitors remained considerably higher than it had been at the start of the period.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 8.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 8.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 8.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 8.5 |
| Overall | 8.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5
The response effectively addresses all parts of the task. You have provided a clear overview of the main trends and successfully selected key data points to illustrate the comparisons between first-time and returning visitors. The information is well-summarised, and the key features—such as the initial divergence in 2000-2002 and the peak in 2006—are accurately reported. The response is well-structured and covers the entire period from 2000 to 2008, ensuring that the reader gains a comprehensive understanding of the graph's data without unnecessary detail.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5
The response is logically organised, with a clear introduction, an overview paragraph, and two body paragraphs that group information effectively by visitor type. Cohesive devices such as 'whereas', 'despite', 'to begin with', and 'turning to' are used appropriately to guide the reader through the data. The progression of ideas is smooth, and each paragraph has a clear central topic. Paragraphing is used skilfully, and referencing is consistent throughout the text, making the information very easy to follow.
Lexical Resource — Band 8.0
You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic report. Phrases such as 'increased significantly', 'fluctuated', 'rose sharply', and 'declining to' are used accurately to describe trends. The vocabulary is precise and contributes to the clarity of the report. While the range is sufficient and effective, there is room to incorporate slightly more sophisticated or varied synonyms to reach the highest band, but the current usage is natural and error-free in terms of collocation and word choice.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5
The response displays a high level of grammatical control. You have successfully used a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as the use of subordinate clauses starting with 'whereas' and 'despite'. Punctuation is accurate, and there are no significant errors that impede communication. The majority of sentences are error-free, and the tense usage is consistent with the requirements of reporting past data. The control over complex structures is solid, supporting the overall clarity of the writing.
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