Band 4.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.5 · IELTS Academic Practice Accelerator · 2026-10-16

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 4.5)

The graph demonstrating the visitors—first time and returning—in Caryl Island from 2000 to 2008 follows somewhat a constant growing trend as time progressed.

The number of both types of visitors is seen to be going in the opposite directions in 2000 and 2002, the former that is the first time visitors experienced the lowest number in 2002.

In 2000, it is seen that the number first time visitors were around 3000, however, the number of the returning visitors were 8000.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 3.0

The response identifies the two visitor groups and attempts to describe an overall trend, but it does not adequately summarise the graph’s main features. The claim that both groups followed a “constant growing trend” is inaccurate: first-time visitors fell from about 8,000 to 4,000 before rising, while returning visitors increased to a peak and then declined. The 2000 figures are also reversed: first-time visitors were about 8,000 and returning visitors about 3,000. The response gives no accurate account of the later years or the contrasting peaks. It is also substantially below the required 150 words, leaving the task very incomplete. Include a clear overview and select key figures and changes across the full period.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5

There is a basic attempt to organise the response, beginning with a general statement and then moving to a comparison and a specific year. However, the progression is difficult to follow: the second sentence refers to “opposite directions” without clearly explaining the changes, and the final sentence gives figures that conflict with the graph. The response ends before developing a complete summary, so the reader receives no account of the later years. Linking expressions such as “while,” “by contrast,” and “after reaching a peak” could help connect accurate comparisons. Use separate paragraphs for an overview and the main details, and ensure each sentence advances the description logically.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The response uses some relevant vocabulary, including “visitors,” “trend,” “number,” and “experienced,” and the topic is generally recognisable. However, the range is narrow and several phrases are awkward or imprecise, such as “follows somewhat a constant growing trend” and “the former that is the first time visitors.” These expressions make the intended comparisons less clear. For graph descriptions, use precise terms for movement and comparison, such as “fell,” “rose,” “peaked,” and “was higher than.” Avoid describing the overall pattern as constant when the lines change direction. More varied, accurate vocabulary would make the summary clearer and more suitable for an academic report.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The response attempts more than simple sentences, including a relative clause in “the former that is the first time visitors,” but the structure is not controlled and the meaning becomes unclear. There are also problems with sentence construction and agreement in “the number first time visitors were around 3000”; a clearer form would be “the number of first-time visitors was around 8,000.” The opening sentence’s word order is also awkward, particularly “follows somewhat a constant growing trend.” Although the basic message can be understood, the response shows limited variety and several errors in the few sentences provided. Practise accurate comparative sentences and use past-tense verbs consistently to report the historical data.

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