Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-08-04
IELTS Writing Task 1 question
The graph below shows the number of tourists visiting a particular Caribbean island between 2010 and 2017.
Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant.
Student answer (Band 5.5)
The line chart illustrates the proportion of visitors traveling to a specific Caribbean island from 2010 to 2017.
Overall, the total number of visitors arriving on the island rose substantially, and the number of those staying on cruise ships expanded significantly over the five-year period, while the figure for visitors staying on the island fluctuated.
The number of individuals staying on the island was about 1 million in 2010, with the highest proportion staying on the island at 0.75 million compared with those traveling by cruise ship. Although the number of visitors staying on the island plateaued after one year, the number of travelers on cruise ships approximately doubled to 0.25 million. Between 2011 and 2012, despite a marginal dip in the number of visitors in 2012, fluctuations can generally be seen in this graph.
The total number of visitors traveling to the island rose significantly until 2015, but there was a small decrease in the following year. Furthermore, the number of people using the island's visiting services increased in the last year.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main features of the graph, including the overall trends and some specific data points. However, the analysis is somewhat inconsistent. For instance, you mention the total number of visitors rose until 2015, but the data description is vague in places, and some figures are misstated or lack clarity (e.g., the mention of '0.75 million' as the highest proportion is confusing). While you identify the main trends, the reporting of data lacks the precision required for a higher band. To improve, ensure that every figure cited is clearly linked to the correct category and year, and avoid vague phrases like 'fluctuations can generally be seen' without specifying the nature of those changes.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, with an introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs. Cohesive devices such as 'Overall', 'Although', 'Furthermore', and 'despite' are used to link ideas. However, the progression of information is occasionally disjointed. For example, the transition between the second and third paragraphs is abrupt, and the reference to 'the island's visiting services' in the final sentence is unclear, as it does not clearly distinguish between the two categories (cruise vs. island stay) established earlier. Improving the logical flow between sentences and ensuring clear referencing would enhance the coherence of the response.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'proportion', 'plateaued', 'marginal dip', and 'fluctuated'. There is an attempt to use less common vocabulary, which is generally successful. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'the number of people using the island's visiting services', which is imprecise and does not accurately reflect the data categories provided in the prompt. To reach a higher band, focus on using more precise terminology related to data description and ensuring that collocations are natural and accurate throughout the report.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several error-free sentences, and the grammar is generally controlled. However, there are some minor issues with clarity and precision, such as the phrasing 'the highest proportion staying on the island at 0.75 million', which is grammatically awkward. While these errors do not impede communication, they prevent the writing from reaching the level of 'frequent error-free sentences' required for a Band 7. Focusing on sentence variety and ensuring that complex structures are used accurately will help improve your score in this criterion.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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