Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · IELTS Academic Practice Accelerator · 2026-09-19

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 7.5)

The line graph illustrates the number of first-time and returning tourists who visited Caryl Island over an eight-year period, from 2000 to 2008. The data is recorded in two-year increments.

Overall, both categories of visitors experienced an upward trend by the end of the period, despite exhibiting different patterns. A significant trend reversal occurred early on; first-time visitors initially outnumbered returning visitors, but from 2002 onward, returning travelers became the predominant group visiting the island.

In 2000, first-time arrivals started as the larger group at approximately 8,000 visitors. However, this figure experienced a sharp decline over the next two years, dropping by half to 4,000 in 2002. The number of newcomers recovered and grew steadily throughout the remainder of the period, climbing to around 7,000 in 2004 and 9,000 in 2006, before ultimately reaching a peak of 12,000 visitors in 2008.

In contrast, the number of returning tourists began at a modest low of roughly 3,000 in 2000. Over the subsequent two years, this figure witnessed a dramatic surge, skyrocketing to nearly 10,000 by 2002. Over the next four years, with the number plateauing at 12,000 in 2004 before peaking at 15,000 in 2006. In the final two years, the volume of repeat visitors fell slightly, dropping to approximately 13,000 in 2008, yet it still remained just above the figure for first-time guests.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The student provides a very clear and accurate overview of the line graph, correctly identifying the main trends and the significant trend reversal between first-time and returning visitors. All key data points, such as the initial and final figures, as well as peaks and troughs, are accurately reported and supported by the visual data. For example, noting that first-time arrivals dropped to 4,000 in 2002 while returning travelers surged to nearly 10,000 demonstrates precise data extraction. The selection of features is well-judged, making meaningful comparisons throughout the response. The requirements of Task 1 are fully satisfied with a well-developed and coherent summary.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The response is logically organized with a clear overall progression. It begins with a well-formulated introductory sentence and a concise overview paragraph that highlights the primary trends. Following paragraphs handle the body of the data logically, separating the two categories of visitors while drawing effective comparisons. Cohesive devices are used naturally and flexibly, such as 'In contrast', 'However', and 'throughout the remainder of the period'. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct ideas and groups of data, ensuring that the information flows smoothly from start to finish.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The student demonstrates a wide and flexible lexical resource appropriate for an academic task. Less common vocabulary items and phrases are used skillfully, such as 'trend reversal', 'predominant group', 'sharp decline', and 'dramatic surge'. Word choices and collocations are generally natural, with only minor issues, such as a slight grammatical awkwardness in the sentence structure linking the clauses in the final paragraph ('Over the next four years, with the number plateauing...'). Overall, the vocabulary effectively conveys precise statistical changes without repetition.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The response exhibits a wide range of complex sentence structures used accurately and flexibly. The majority of sentences are completely error-free, showcasing strong control over grammatical forms, subordination, and punctuation. Examples include 'Despite exhibiting different patterns' and 'first-time visitors initially outnumbered returning visitors, but from 2002 onward, returning travelers became the predominant group'. There is only one minor slip involving a dangling prepositional phrase in the final paragraph ('Over the next four years, with the number plateauing...'), but this does not impede communication in any way.

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.