Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-08-11
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 7.5)
The line graph illustrates the number of visitors, measured in millions, to a Caribbean island between 2010 and 2017. The data is divided into two categories: tourists staying on cruise ships and those staying on the island.
Overall, it is evident that the total number of visitors increased substantially over the period, despite a slight dip in 2016. Cruise ship tourism experienced the most dramatic growth, eventually surpassing island-based tourism by the end of the period.
In 2010, only 0.2 million visitors stayed on cruise ships, compared with 0.7 million who stayed on the island. Cruise ship figures rose sharply to 0.5 million in 2011, before falling back to 0.2 million in 2012. However, from 2012 onwards, the trend was consistently upward, reaching 2 million by 2017, overtaking island tourists.
By contrast, island visitors showed a more moderate pattern. Numbers remained stable at 0.7 million in 2010 and 2011, then climbed steadily to a peak of 1.5 million in 2013. After this point, the figure plateaued, fluctuating slightly but remaining close to 1.5 million, with a minor dip to 1.4 million in 2016.
The total number of visitors rose from 1 million in 2010 to 3.5 million in 2017, with the only exception being 2016, when the figure dropped slightly to 2.7 million. This overall growth was largely driven by the surge in cruise ship tourism.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 8.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.5 |
| Overall | 7.5 |
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 dramatic growth in cruise ship tourism and the more moderate, plateauing trend of island-based visitors. The inclusion of an overview paragraph that highlights the key differences and the overall upward trajectory is a strong feature. You have also made relevant comparisons between the two categories throughout the text, particularly when noting the point at which cruise ship visitors overtook island-based tourists. The data is accurately reported, and the selection of key features is logical and well-supported by the figures provided.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5
The response is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a distinct focus: the introduction, the overview, the detailed breakdown of cruise ship visitors, the island-based visitors, and a summary of the total figures. Cohesive devices such as 'By contrast', 'However', and 'After this point' are used effectively to guide the reader through the data. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate different aspects of the analysis, and the referencing is clear throughout. The flow of information is smooth, making the report very easy to follow.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.5
You demonstrate a wide and flexible range of vocabulary that is well-suited to describing trends in a graph. Phrases such as 'dramatic growth', 'surpassing', 'moderate pattern', and 'plateaued' are used with precision and natural control. The vocabulary is varied and avoids unnecessary repetition. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or collocation, and the language used is sophisticated enough to convey the information clearly and effectively. The use of 'fluctuating' and 'surge' shows a good command of descriptive terminology for data analysis.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5
The response exhibits a wide range of grammatical structures with high levels of accuracy. You successfully use a mix of simple and complex sentences, such as 'Cruise ship tourism experienced the most dramatic growth, eventually surpassing island-based tourism by the end of the period.' Punctuation is used correctly, and there are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the control over tense usage—specifically the past tense to describe the period between 2010 and 2017—is consistent and correct throughout the report.
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