Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · IELTS Academic Practice Accelerator · 2026-09-25

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 6.5)

The line graph illustrates the number of first-time tourists and returning tourists who travelled to Caryl Island between 2000 and 2008. Overall, visitors who visited first-time fluctuated over the period of time, whereas returning visitors increased significantly. It is noticeable that returning visitors became more numerous than first-time visitors from 2002 onwards.

Firstly, the number of first-time visitors stood at 8,000 in 2000. This figure then fell significantly to 4,000 in 2002. After that, it increased gradually to 6,000 in 2004 and rose further to around 9,000 in 2006. Finally, the number of first-time visitors reached approximately 12,000 in 2008.

Turning to returning visitors, the figure started at only 3,000 in 2000. It then increased sharply to 10,000 in 2002 and rose further to 12,000 in 2004. The number reached a peak of 15,000 in 2006, before falling slightly to about 13,500 in 2008.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

The student successfully identifies and reports the main features of the line graph, including overall trends and key comparative data points between first-time and returning visitors. The overview accurately highlights the significant increase in returning visitors and the crossover point around 2002. Specific data points, such as the peak of 15,000 for returning visitors in 2006 and the starting and ending figures for both categories, are generally accurate and well-reported. However, the response falls short of the 150-word minimum requirement, containing only 144 words. This under-length issue directly impacts the task achievement score, preventing the response from reaching a higher band, despite the accurate selection and reporting of data.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response is logically organised into four distinct paragraphs, featuring a clear introduction, an overarching summary, and two body paragraphs dedicated to each visitor category. Cohesive devices are used appropriately to guide the reader through the data, such as 'Overall', 'Firstly', 'After that', and 'Turning to returning visitors'. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, ensuring the text has a coherent overall arrangement. Referencing is clear throughout, and the logical progression from the year 2000 to 2008 for each trend is maintained consistently. While cohesion is at times slightly mechanical, it fully satisfies the descriptors for Band 7.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

The student demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey information with adequate precision and flexibility. Appropriate lexical items related to graph description are used effectively, such as 'fluctuated', 'increased significantly', 'fell significantly', 'gradually', and 'reached a peak'. There are also attempts at less common vocabulary phrases like 'became more numerous' and 'falling slightly'. Word choice and collocations are generally accurate, and spelling is correct throughout the text. Although the vocabulary is somewhat standard for Task 1 responses, it fully meets the criteria for Band 6.5, which is rounded to 7.0 based on precision and lack of impeding errors.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5

The student exhibits a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures, incorporating subordinate clauses and varied transitional phrases effectively (e.g., 'Overall, visitors who visited first-time fluctuated over the period of time, whereas returning visitors increased significantly'). Grammatical control is strong, with accurate past tense verb forms used consistently to describe historical trends. Punctuation is handled well, and sentence boundaries are clear. There are very few errors present in the text, meaning a majority of sentences are error-free, reflecting solid grammatical control that aligns well with Band 7 descriptors.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

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