Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · IELTS Academic Practice Accelerator · 2026-10-21

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 line graph breaks down the numbers of first time visitors and returning vistors who visited Carly Island from 2000 to 2008.

Overall, the figure of first time visitors bottmed out their numbers initially; however, by the final year it experienced rose. The remaining figure ( returning visitors) witnessed a significant upward trend; however, by the end of the year it experienced fall.

Initially, the numbers of first time visitors was exactly 8000. Nevertheless, the numbers of first time visitors reached their lowest number in the year 2000 ( it fall from 8000 to 4000); however, it showed an upward trend by the year 2000 and reached their peaked value in the final year ( it rose from 4000 to almost 12000).

The remaining figure ( returning visitors) witnessed a significant upward trend in the beginning ( it was just under 4000 visitors initially). By the year 2006 it massively rose from just under 4000 visitors to just over 14000 visitors); however, it experienced slightly decline by the final year ( it fall from just over 14000 visitors to around 13000 visitors).

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You cover both visitor groups and identify the main overall contrast: first-time visitors finish higher than their 2002 low, while returning visitors rise strongly before declining. Several figures are broadly accurate, including the initial 8,000 first-time visitors and the returning visitors’ peak around 2006. However, the overview is unclear when it says first-time visitors “bottmed out their numbers initially,” and the account misplaces the low point in 2000 rather than 2002. It also says the first-time figure rose “by the year 2000,” although the increase occurs after 2002. The returning-visitors description captures the broad pattern but would be clearer with the 2008 endpoint and more precise comparisons. Prioritise accurate turning points and a concise, unambiguous overview.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, and separate paragraphs describing each visitor group. This makes the two series easy to distinguish overall. However, progression within the paragraphs is sometimes confusing, especially where “initially,” “lowest number,” and “by the year 2000” are used in ways that do not establish the correct sequence. Repeated connectors such as “however” and “nevertheless” make the relationships between ideas feel mechanical, and the parenthetical explanations interrupt the flow. Use a clear chronological sequence and connect each change directly to its year—for example, describe the fall to 4,000 in 2002 before the subsequent rise. More precise referencing would also help readers follow which figure is being discussed.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You attempt a range of trend vocabulary, including “significant upward trend,” “reached their peaked value,” and “slightly decline.” These choices show an effort to describe movement rather than simply list figures. However, several word forms and collocations are inaccurate or awkward, such as “bottmed out their numbers,” “experienced rose,” and “massively rose.” There are also spelling errors in “vistors” and “Carly” (the task names Caryl Island). These issues make some descriptions less clear and reduce precision. Choose standard chart language and check spelling and word forms carefully; for example, use “reached a low,” “rose,” and “declined slightly.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You use both simple statements and longer sentences with contrast clauses, as in “The remaining figure … witnessed a significant upward trend; however…”. This shows some range, but control is inconsistent. Subject–verb agreement is problematic in “the numbers … was,” and verb forms are inaccurate in “it fall” and “it experienced fall.” Some sentences also combine clauses awkwardly, while the parenthetical phrases and spacing around punctuation make the writing harder to read. Aim for reliable past-tense forms and agreement: “the number was,” “it fell,” and “it experienced a fall.” Shorter, well-controlled sentences would help you express the trends accurately while you build confidence with complex structures.

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