Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · IELTS Academic Practice Accelerator · 2026-08-30
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 represents the number of first time visitors and returning visitors who visited the Caryl Island from 2000 to 2008.
Overall, the number of first time visitors first fluctuated but then the growth was steadily increasing. While the number of returning visitors were moderately low initially but the returns increased and there is a small deep between 2006 and 2008.
In 2000, the count of first time visitors was 8000 but there was sudden decline and the count decreased to 4000 visitors in 2002. However, after 2002 there is increase in the number of visitors to Caryl Island and each year the 2000 new visitors were coming. By 2008 the count of new time visitors was 12000 which is higher than 8000 visitors in the year 2000.
For the returning visitors only 3000 visitors were returning to the Caryl Island. As the year passed more visitors were returning and approximately 15000 visitors were coming back by 2006. In 2008, there was a decline is returning visitors and close to 14000 visitors were coming back.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main features of the graph, including the trends for both visitor types. However, the analysis is somewhat inconsistent. For instance, the description of the first-time visitors mentions a 'sudden decline' to 4000 in 2002, but the data interpretation regarding the '2000 new visitors' each year is unclear and potentially inaccurate based on the visual trend. While the overview identifies the general trends, it lacks a more precise comparison between the two categories at key points. The summary is sufficient to meet the requirements, but more careful data extraction would improve the accuracy of the report.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The essay is logically organized into an introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the two categories of visitors. Cohesive devices such as 'However', 'While', and 'In 2000' are used to link ideas, though some transitions feel slightly mechanical. The progression of information is generally clear, although the connection between the overview and the body paragraphs could be smoother. Overall, the structure is coherent and easy to follow.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task, allowing the writer to describe trends such as 'fluctuated', 'steadily increasing', and 'decline'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'small deep' (should be 'dip') and 'new time visitors' (should be 'first-time visitors'). The range of vocabulary is somewhat limited and repetitive, relying on basic descriptors. To reach a higher band, the student should incorporate more precise collocations and varied synonyms to describe statistical changes.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as subject-verb agreement issues ('the number of returning visitors were' instead of 'was') and incorrect preposition usage ('decline is returning visitors' instead of 'decline in'). While these errors do not significantly impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. The student should focus on proofreading for basic grammatical accuracy, particularly with pluralization and verb forms.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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