Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · IELTS Academic Practice Accelerator · 2026-10-03

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 6.0)

The line graph illustrates the number of visitors who are visiting first time in Caryl Island as compared to the visitors returning from Caryl Island between 2000 to 2008.

Overall, the average of returning visitors were higher, while the figure for the first time visitors experienced less towards the end of period.

Looking at the graph in more detail, almost 8000 visitors visited the Island in 2000, dramatically fell to 4000 in 2002 before continuously climbing to 12000 visitors in 2008 respectively. The trend for returning visitors are opposite as almost 3000 visitors return from Island in 2000, sharply rose to 10000 in 2002, further increase to 12000 in 2004, surged at approximately 15000 in 2006 and dropping to almost 13000 in 2008.

In contrast, the number of returning visitors and first time visitors coincide at one point in 2001 consisting of almost 6000 visitors. At this point it became levelled off.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

The response addresses the main parts of the task by reporting the overall trends and key data points for both visitor categories, successfully meeting the core requirements. However, the performance is limited by some inaccuracies and confusion in data reporting. For instance, the text claims that first-time visitors 'dramatically fell to 4000 in 2002 before continuously climbing to 12000 visitors in 2008', which conflates the trajectories of the two categories or misreads the graph, as 12000 was reached by returning visitors in 2004 while first-time visitors actually rose to 11800 in 2008. Furthermore, the concluding mention of a point of intersection in 2001 with 'almost 6000 visitors' is factually incorrect based on the provided chart. While an overview is present, the support provided contains under-developed or imprecise descriptions of the visual data, preventing a higher score.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The text maintains a coherent overall arrangement with a clear division into an introduction, an overview paragraph, and detailed body sentences. Cohesive devices are used to signal progression, such as 'Overall', 'Looking at the graph in more detail', and 'In contrast'. However, referencing and logical progression are occasionally faulty. For example, the phrase 'The trend for returning visitors are opposite' introduces data that is somewhat mechanically listed rather than fluidly compared, and the final paragraph awkwardly introduces an intersection that disrupts the chronological flow. Paragraphing is visible, but the structural partitioning could be managed more skilfully to enhance the overall readability and logical progression of ideas.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, attempting less common items such as 'dramatically fell', 'continuously climbing', and 'sharply rose'. There are some word choice and collocation errors, such as visitors 'visiting first time' instead of 'first-time visitors', and 'return from Island' instead of 'return to the island'. Additionally, 'experience less towards the end of period' lacks precision. However, spelling is generally accurate, and the lexical items used are sufficient to communicate the main ideas without severely impeding the reader's understanding, reflecting a solid middle-band performance.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

The response displays a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, incorporating introductory clauses and comparative structures. There are several grammatical errors and lapses in agreement, such as 'the average of returning visitors were higher' (where 'average' requires a singular verb), missing articles before 'Island', and issues with prepositional usage. Punctuation is mostly functional, though minor structural slips occur. These errors are noticeable but do not impede overall communication, placing the response squarely within the range of control where simple sentences are generally sound while complex attempts contain persistent mistakes.

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

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