Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · IELTS Academic Practice Accelerator · 2026-11-01

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 6.5)

The graph illustrates how many visitors visited Caryl Island for the first and second time between 2000 and 2008.

Overall, the number of first time visitors was 8000 in 2000, but then the figure fallen dramatically to 4000 in 2002, then it rose up sharply to 12,000 in 2008.

Whereas, the number of returning visitors went up steadily from 2000 to 2006. However, the data went down slightly from 2006 to 2008.

In 2000, 8000 people visited the Caryl Island for the first time. However, the number dropped to 4000 in 2002. Again, from the year of 2002, it increased steadily to 6000 until 2004. Since then, the number had been going up dramatically to 12000 until 2008.

For the number of returning visitors, in 2000, about 2500 visitors arrived the island for the second time. From 2000 to 2002, the figure went up sharply to 10000. From 2002 to 2004, the number raised gradually to 12000. Then, until 2006, it went up dramatically to about 15000. However, starting 2006, the number started falling down gradually to around 13800 in 2008.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You cover both visitor groups and give a clear overview of their contrasting patterns: first-time visits fall before rising, while returning visits increase to a peak and then decline. Most figures are close to the chart, including the 2002 and 2004 values for both groups. However, the first-time figure for 2008 is reported as 12,000 rather than approximately 11,800, and the returning figure for 2008 is given as 13,800 rather than about 13,400; these are modest discrepancies. The overview also repeats several figures instead of highlighting the key comparison that returning visitors outnumber first-time visitors from 2002 onward. The main features are selected appropriately, but a sharper comparison and more precise reporting would strengthen the response further.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall arrangement: an introduction, an overview, and separate paragraphs describing each visitor group. This makes the information easy to follow, and time markers such as “In 2000,” “From 2002 to 2004,” and “starting 2006” help establish sequence. However, the overview partly repeats details that are then given again in the body, particularly the first-time visitors’ fall and subsequent rise. Some linking is mechanical or awkward, as in “Whereas” beginning a separate sentence and the repeated use of “However” and “Then.” Aim to make the overview more selective and use transitions to show comparisons between the two lines, not only chronological steps.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

You use an adequate range of trend vocabulary, including “dropped,” “increased steadily,” “went up sharply,” and “falling down gradually,” so the main movements are generally clear. There are also attempts at more descriptive language, such as “dramatically.” However, some choices are imprecise or unnatural for graph reporting: “the number raised gradually” should use a verb such as “rose,” and “visitors arrived the island” is not a natural collocation. Repetition of “number,” “figure,” and “went up” also limits flexibility. Choose precise verbs for changes and vary them carefully; avoid intensifiers such as “dramatically” when the change is not especially sharp.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple and more complex forms, including time clauses and contrast, as in “Since then, the number had been going up…” and “However, starting 2006…”. The overall meaning remains clear, but some grammatical errors recur. For example, “the figure fallen” is missing an auxiliary (“fell” or “had fallen”), and “the number raised gradually” has an incorrect verb construction. Articles and prepositions also need attention in “visited the Caryl Island” and “arrived the island.” Tense choices are not always consistent when describing completed changes over the period. Practise using the past simple consistently for chart trends, and check sentence openings and verb forms before finishing.

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