Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · IELTS Academic Practice Accelerator · 2026-09-20

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 came for the first time and kept on coming at Caryl island from the years 2000 to 2008.

Around 8000 people visited the Caryl's island for the first time in the year 2000 then the ratio of visitors decreased to 4000 people in 2002. In the year 2000 although many people visited for the first time but the ratio of returning visitors was comparatively less. As in the year 2000, around only 3000 people visited again on the island. Then from the years 2002 to 2008 the graph of returning visitors got higher gaining a peak at the year 2006 where almost more than 15000 people revisited the island and then eventually decreased to less than 14000 visitors in 2008. However the ratio of first time visitors had fallen to 4000 visitors in 2002. From the years 2005 till 2008, there was a rise in number of people who visited for the first time. Then the graph almost touched to 12000 first time visitors in the year 2008.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The student successfully covers the main trends in the line graph, reporting figures for both first-time and returning visitors across the specified years. Key data points, such as the peak of returning visitors in 2006 (around 15000) and the fluctuations in first-time visitors, are accurately identified and contrasted. However, the response lacks a clear overall summary or overview paragraph highlighting the broader trends, which prevents it from reaching a higher band. While the comparison between the two groups is attempted, the structure of the body paragraphs is somewhat disjointed, oscillating between the two categories without a fully cohesive narrative arc. Nonetheless, all parts of the prompt are addressed.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The response demonstrates a coherent overall arrangement, but the logical progression is hindered by poor paragraphing and repetitive transitional phrases. The text is divided into only two large paragraphs, with the second paragraph attempting to cover multiple alternating trends for both visitor types in a single block of text. Cohesive devices are used awkwardly or repetitively, such as 'then', 'In the year 2000 although many people visited...', and 'However the ratio...'. Referencing is sometimes unclear, making it difficult to follow the chronological flow without rereading. Paragraphing is not used sufficiently or appropriately to separate distinct ideas or time periods clearly.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully employing terms such as 'illustrates', 'fluctuations', 'peak', and 'revisited'. However, there is noticeable awkwardness in word choice and collocation, such as 'kept on coming', 'the Caryl's island', and repeated overuse of the word 'ratio' instead of 'number' or 'proportion'. Some minor spelling and phrasing errors occur, but they do not seriously impede communication. The vocabulary attempts are occasionally imprecise, keeping the score within the band 6 range.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The writer attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, including subordinate clauses introduced by 'although', 'where', and 'since'. However, control over complex grammar is inconsistent, leading to run-on sentences and punctuation errors, such as missing commas before coordinating conjunctions and after introductory prepositional phrases (e.g., 'From the years 2005 till 2008, there was a rise...'). Errors such as 'the graph almost touched to 12000' and missing articles ('at Caryl island') are present. While communication is not severely impeded, the frequency of grammatical inaccuracies prevents the response from achieving a higher score.

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