Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-08-08
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 8.0)
The line graph illustrates the number of tourists who visited a Caribbean island between 2010 and 2017.
Overall, the total number of tourists visiting the island increased considerably over the period. While the number of visitors staying on the island rose steadily, the figure for those staying on cruise ships increased more dramatically and became the larger group by 2017.
Turning to visitors who stayed on the island, the number increased initially before remaining relatively stable for several years. In 2010, approximately 1 million tourists stayed on the island, and this figure rose to around 1.5 million in 2011. It then remained unchanged at about 1.5 million from 2011 to 2015. However, the number fell slightly to approximately 1.25 million in 2016 before recovering to 1.5 million in 2017.
In contrast, the number of visitors staying on cruise ships showed a much more significant increase. Starting at around 0.25 million in 2010, the figure doubled to 0.5 million in 2011 and then rose gradually to approximately 1.25 million in 2014. After a slight increase to 1.5 million in 2015, the number climbed sharply to 2 million in 2016 and reached a peak of about 2.5 million in 2017.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 8.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 8.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 8.0 |
| Overall | 8.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0
The response is excellent and fully addresses all parts of the task. You have successfully identified the main trends, such as the overall growth in tourism and the contrasting patterns between island-stay and cruise-ship visitors. The data is accurately reported, and the comparison between the two categories is clear and well-integrated. You have highlighted key features, such as the point where cruise visitors overtook island-stay visitors, which demonstrates a high level of analytical skill. The overview is concise and effectively summarizes the main developments over the seven-year period, meeting all the requirements for a high band score.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0
The response is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a distinct focus: the introduction, the overall trend, the island-stay visitors, and the cruise-ship visitors. The use of cohesive devices is natural and effective, such as 'Turning to', 'In contrast', and 'However', which help guide the reader through the data. Paragraphing is used appropriately, and the information flows smoothly from one point to the next. There is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive linking, and the structure supports the clear communication of the data throughout the report.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.5
You have used a wide and precise range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic report. Phrases like 'increased considerably', 'remained relatively stable', 'climbed sharply', and 'reached a peak' demonstrate a sophisticated control of language. The vocabulary is not only accurate but also varied, avoiding unnecessary repetition. You have successfully used collocations that are natural in the context of describing trends and data. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or spelling, and the language used is consistently formal and suitable for the task.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0
The response displays a wide range of grammatical structures with high accuracy. You have effectively used complex sentences, such as 'While the number of visitors staying on the island rose steadily, the figure for those staying on cruise ships increased more dramatically'. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the control over tense and punctuation is excellent. There are no grammatical slips that impede communication, and the variety of sentence forms used contributes to the overall fluency of the writing. The grammar is consistent with a high level of proficiency.
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