Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · IELTS Academic Practice Accelerator · 2026-08-07

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 6.5)

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

Overall, the number of returning visitors increased considerably despite a slight decline in the end. In contrast, the number of first time visitors experienced decline in the initial years but reached thier highest number in 2008.

In 2000, approximately 8000 first time visitors travelled to Caryl Island compared with only 3000 returning visitors. Over the next two years, number of first time visitors fell from 8000 to 4000, while returning visitors increased by 6500.

From 2002 onwards, the number of first time visitors rose steadily. It increased to 6000 in 2004 then roughly 7500 in 2006, before reaching around 12000 in 2008. Meanwhile, returning visitors continued to grow, reaching 12000 in 2004 and peaking at 15000 in 2006. However this figure declined to 13000 in 2008.

Overall, returning visitors became significantly more numerous than first time visitors during most of the period, while first time visitors showed a gradual recovery after their initial decline.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response effectively addresses the task by identifying the main trends and making relevant comparisons between the two categories. You have successfully highlighted the key features, such as the initial decline of first-time visitors and the peak of returning visitors in 2006. The overview is clear and provides a good summary of the overall patterns. To reach a higher band, ensure that all data points are described with absolute precision; for instance, stating 'roughly 7500' is acceptable, but ensure that the comparative language remains consistent throughout the report. You have covered all parts of the prompt well.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The response is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a concluding summary. The progression of ideas is smooth, and you have used cohesive devices such as 'In contrast,' 'Over the next two years,' and 'Meanwhile' effectively to link information. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different stages of the data. The flow of information is easy to follow, and the relationship between the two visitor types is clearly maintained throughout the text. This demonstrates a good level of control over the structure of the report.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the trends, such as 'considerably,' 'steadily,' and 'peaking.' The language is generally precise and appropriate for an academic report. There is a minor spelling error ('thier' instead of 'their'), but this does not impede communication. To improve, you could incorporate more varied synonyms for 'increase' and 'decrease' to avoid repetition and demonstrate a wider range of lexical items. Overall, the vocabulary is well-suited to the task and allows for clear communication of the data trends.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response demonstrates a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are error-free, and the grammar is generally accurate. There are a few minor slips, such as the missing article in 'number of first time visitors fell' (should be 'the number of'). However, these errors are infrequent and do not interfere with the reader's understanding. Your control over tense usage is consistent, correctly reflecting the past timeframe of the graph. Continued focus on article usage and minor prepositional accuracy will help you achieve a higher score in this criterion.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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