Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · IELTS Academic Practice Accelerator · 2026-09-12

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 provided line graph illustrates the number of visitors who visited first time and returning people for the Carly Island from 2000 to 2008.

Overall, it can be seen that the upward trend about first time visitors is continued for five year then declined. The number of returning people were declined in the early year but then started growing until the end of the period.

In 2000, first time visitor's number was accounted at 8000, then the number was go into free-fall in 2002 and reached at 4000. In contrast, about 2000 returning tourist number was accounted in 2000, then increased dramatically and reached at 10000. In 2004, both numbers of tourist increased, first time visitors reached at 6000 and returning visitors doubled in compare to first time visitors, accounted at 12000.

In 2006, the number of first time tourist was reached at 8000 and returning visitors reached at its peak point which was about 15000 but then it fell slightly and reached at nearly 13000 in 2008. While first time visitor number continued to growing and reached at nearly 12000 by the of the period.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The student successfully covers all parts of the task by reporting the main trends and making relevant comparisons between first-time and returning visitors to Caryl Island from 2000 to 2008. The overview captures the general upward trend for first-time visitors and the fluctuating yet rising trajectory for returning visitors. Key data points, such as figures for 2000, 2004, 2006, and 2008, are appropriately selected and reported to support the description. While there are some awkward expressions in the data reporting, the main features are clearly conveyed, aligning well with the Band 6 descriptor for addressing all parts of the task with relevant ideas.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response has a clear overall arrangement with a standard four-paragraph structure comprising an introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs detailing specific years. Paragraphing is used appropriately. However, cohesion within and between sentences is occasionally faulty or mechanical. For example, the transition in phrases like 'In 2000, first time visitor's number was accounted at 8000, then the number was go into free-fall' demonstrates awkward linking and referencing. Cohesive devices are somewhat repetitive ('then', 'reached at'), and referencing is not always completely smooth, which places this text securely in the Band 6 category for coherence and cohesion.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, allowing the student to communicate basic trends ('upward trend', 'declined', 'increased dramatically', 'peak point'). However, there are noticeable lexical inaccuracies and inappropriate word choices, such as 'visited first time and returning people', 'visitor's number was accounted at', and 'go into free-fall' (which is overly colloquial and used incorrectly here). Less common vocabulary is attempted but often marred by collocation errors and awkward phrasing. Spelling is generally acceptable, but overall the range of vocabulary is limited and contains errors that prevent it from reaching a higher band, making a Band 5.5 appropriate.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, utilizing introductory time phrases and comparative structures ('While first time visitor number continued to growing'). However, there is a high frequency of grammatical errors, particularly regarding passive voice misuse, tense consistency, and prepositions (e.g., 'the number was go into free-fall', 'reached at 4000', 'visitor's number was accounted at', 'doubled in compare to'). Errors in verb forms such as 'continued to growing' also detract from the quality. Although these errors rarely impede the overall communication of the data, they are pervasive enough to restrict the score to a Band 5.5.

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.