Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · IELTS Academic Practice Accelerator · 2026-08-26
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 the number of visitors who visited first time and returning visitors in Caryl Island over a 8-year period, starting from 2000.
Overall, it is evident that the number of first time visitors and returning visitors both are showed increasing trend over the period. Although the number of first time visitors showed a declined trend in first 2 year, it presents significantly increased trend at last.
In 2000, the number of first time visitors stood at 8000 and within two years the figure slipped almost half from 8000 to 4000. There was a rocked trend of increasing trend after 2002 from 4000 to 12000 in 2002 to 2008.
On the other hand, the number of returning visitors stood at 3000 in 2000 and it increased 2000 to 15000 with in six years period. There was a slightly decreased trend in 2006 to 2008 at 15000 to approximately 14000.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main features of the graph, including the overall trends and specific data points for both visitor categories. You successfully identified the initial decline and subsequent growth of first-time visitors, as well as the steady rise and final dip for returning visitors. However, the report could be improved by making more direct comparisons between the two groups, such as noting when one category overtook the other. While the key features are present, the analysis is somewhat descriptive rather than analytical, which prevents it from reaching a higher band. Ensure that all figures cited are accurate to the graph provided to fully satisfy the requirements.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is logically organized into an introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs. The progression of ideas is clear, moving from general trends to specific data points. You use some cohesive devices like 'On the other hand' and 'Although', which help link ideas. However, some transitions are mechanical, and the paragraphing could be more balanced. The use of referencing is generally clear, but the flow between sentences occasionally feels a bit disjointed due to repetitive sentence structures. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring smoother transitions between the overview and the body paragraphs would enhance the overall coherence.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task, allowing you to describe trends using terms like 'increasing trend', 'declined', and 'slipped'. However, there is a reliance on basic vocabulary and some awkward phrasing, such as 'rocked trend' and 'showed increasing trend', which are not standard collocations. To reach a higher band, you should aim for more precise and varied vocabulary to describe data, such as 'fluctuated', 'surged', or 'experienced a marginal decline'. There are also some minor errors in word choice that slightly impact the sophistication of the response, though they do not impede communication.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
You demonstrate a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical errors throughout the text, such as 'both are showed' (should be 'both showed'), 'in first 2 year' (should be 'in the first two years'), and 'with in six years period'. These errors, while frequent, do not prevent the reader from understanding the information. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement, correct use of articles, and prepositional phrases. Increasing the variety of complex sentence structures while ensuring they remain error-free 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.
Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.