Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · IELTS Academic Practice Accelerator · 2026-10-14

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)

This line graph shares information on the number of first time and returning visitors to Caryl Island, between 2000 and 2008.

In 2000, the island received 8,000 first time visitors, compared to only 2,500 returning ones. Two years later, the trend reversed with 4000 first time and 10,000 returning visitors, the latter surging four times. From 2002 to 2004, both catergory of Caryl Island visitors grew by 2,000. Similarly, in the [redacted phone] period, visitor growth rate was around 3,000-3,500. Bucking the trend in 2008, returning visitors dropped from 15,000 to 13,000. But the growth in first time visitors was steady with about 3,000 added to 2008's tally.

Overall, we see a trend between 2002 and 2006 where both the first time and returning visitors grew at a similar rate. 2002 was a significant year with the major spike in returning visitors to Carly Island, but an equally major dip in first time ones.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You cover the full period and report several key movements, including the sharp rise in returning visitors by 2002, the subsequent growth in both groups, and the decline in returning visitors at the end. The figures are generally close to the chart, though the 2000 returning total is about 3,000 rather than 2,500, and the 2008 first-time total is about 11,800 rather than simply an increase of 3,000. Your overview identifies the 2002 contrast, but it would be stronger if it clearly stated the overall pattern: returning visitors peaked in 2006, while first-time visitors ended at their highest level. Some comparisons are reported without enough precision, so the main features are present but not all are equally clear or fully developed.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response is arranged in a sensible sequence: it begins with the earlier figures, follows changes across the years, and ends with an overall summary. Time markers such as “Two years later,” “From 2002 to 2004,” and “in 2008” help the reader follow the timeline. However, the overview comes after the detailed account, and its opening, “Overall, we see a trend,” is vague rather than a clear synthesis. Some links are also slightly mechanical or unclear: “Similarly” does not make the relationship between the two periods especially precise, while “Bucking the trend” could refer to either series. A more distinct overview paragraph and clearer references to each visitor group would make the progression more effective.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

You use a reasonable range of vocabulary for describing trends, including “surging,” “grew,” “dropped,” “steady,” and “spike.” These choices make the main movements understandable, and “Bucking the trend” shows an attempt to use less common phrasing. Some expressions are not fully natural or precise for a graph report: “shares information” is less suitable than “shows,” “the latter surging four times” is awkward, and “visitor growth rate” suggests a rate rather than a change in numbers. There is also a spelling error in “catergory,” and the island is spelled “Carly” once rather than “Caryl.” More accurate collocations and consistent spelling would improve precision while retaining your useful range.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.0

You use a mix of sentence forms, including a complex opening with “compared to” and a time clause beginning “Bucking the trend in 2008.” Most sentences communicate the intended comparisons clearly, and punctuation generally supports the meaning. A few grammatical choices remain awkward: “both catergory … grew” needs a plural noun and matching verb (“both categories … grew”), while “with about 3,000 added to 2008’s tally” has an unclear construction. The phrase “the latter surging four times” is also structurally difficult to interpret. These issues do not prevent understanding, but clearer clause construction and more consistent control of plural forms would strengthen the accuracy of an otherwise varied response.

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