Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · IELTS Academic Practice Accelerator · 2026-10-01

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 information provided in the given line chart compares the number of first and second time visitors who visited Caryal Island throughout the past eight-years between 2000 and 2008.

Overall, it is quite evident from the mentioned graph that the number of returning tourist was substantially climbed thoughout the period after peaked at 2006. In constrast, the figure of first time visitors comparatively declined in the first two years, after that it sharply escalted from the rest of period.

Moving further, initially in 2000 the number of first time tourist was exactly 8000, as compared to second time visitors this figure was far more higher. Later in 2002, the figure is rapidly reduced to closely 4000. Conversely, in the following years the line was significantly increased at about 6000 in 2004, and over 8000 in 2006, however end the period at 12000.

Furthermore, in the beginning 2000, the number of returning visitors are roughly 2500, which considerably increased to 10000 in 2002 in just two years by overtook first time tourist in 2001. Likewise in 2004 it was slightly rise at 12000, afterward, in 2006 it reached to its highest number of approximately 14500 by top the chart. Although, at the end of period second time visitors show a moderate downward trend and finished under 14000.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

The response addresses the main parts of the task by presenting an overview and reporting key data points, but it sits at this level because some details are inaccurate or under-developed. For instance, the student reports that returning visitors 'finished under 14000' while the chart shows 2008 ending at approximately 13,400, but there are some inaccuracies in reading specific years. The overview attempts to capture the general trends, mentioning that returning visitors climbed and first-time visitors declined initially before rising, but the expression of these trends lacks precision. To move to a higher band, the response needs to select and report more accurately on the key features of the graph without data misreadings, and provide a clearer, more fully developed overview of the overall trends.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response demonstrates some organisation through the use of paragraphs and basic cohesive devices such as 'Overall', 'Moving further', and 'Furthermore'. However, there is a lack of clear overall progression, and referencing is sometimes confusing or mechanical. For example, sentences within paragraphs can feel disjointed due to awkward transitions and repetitive sentence beginnings. Cohesive devices are sometimes used inaccurately or repetitively, which detracts from the overall flow of the essay. To achieve a higher band, the writer needs to ensure a smoother, more logical progression of ideas from one paragraph to the next, and use a wider range of cohesive devices more naturally without relying on formulaic transitions.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, but the range is limited and contains noticeable errors in word choice, spelling, and word formation. Examples of lexical inaccuracies include 'Caryal' (spelling of Caryl), 'tourist' instead of 'tourists' or 'visitors', 'substantially climbed thoughout', and awkward collocations like 'sharply escalted from the rest of period' or 'slightly rise'. The student attempts less common vocabulary, but these attempts are often imprecise. To reach a higher band, the writer needs to expand their lexical range, improve word choice and collocation precision, and check spelling carefully to ensure vocabulary is used more naturally and accurately.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The response displays a limited range of sentence structures, with frequent grammatical errors that can cause some difficulty for the reader. There are issues with verb tenses, subject-verb agreement, and prepositions within grammatical patterns, such as 'the number of returning visitors are roughly 2500', 'the figure is rapidly reduced', and 'end the period at 12000'. Attempts at complex sentences frequently result in faulty structures and awkward phrasing. Punctuation errors are also present. To move up to a higher band, the student must increase their control over a wider variety of complex grammatical structures and significantly reduce the frequency of basic grammatical errors.

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

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