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 shows the number of tourists visiting a Caribbean island from 2010 to 2017, including visitors staying on cruise ships and those staying on the island.
Overall, the total number of tourists increased considerably during the period. While the number of visitors staying on the island rose steadily before remaining stable, the figure for cruise ship tourists grew sharply and eventually became the larger group.
In 2010, the island received 1 million tourists in total, including about 0.75 million staying on the island and 0.25 million on cruise ships. By 2013, the total number had doubled to 2 million. During this time, visitors staying on the island increased to around 1.5 million, whereas cruise ship tourists remained below 1 million.
After 2013, the number of tourists staying on the island levelled off at approximately 1.5 million. In contrast, cruise ship visitors rose dramatically, reaching 2 million in 2017. As a result, total tourist numbers climbed steadily and peaked at 3.5 million at the end of the period.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.5 |
| Overall | 7.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5
The response effectively addresses all parts of the task. You have clearly identified the main trends, such as the overall increase in tourist numbers and the contrasting patterns between cruise ship visitors and those staying on the island. The overview is concise and highlights the key features, such as the cruise ship visitors eventually becoming the larger group. You have also provided specific data points to support your descriptions, such as the doubling of total tourists by 2013 and the peak of 3.5 million in 2017. The information is accurately reported and well-selected, meeting the requirements for a high band score.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5
The response is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph serves a distinct purpose: the introduction, the overview, and two body paragraphs detailing the data. You have used cohesive devices effectively, such as 'While', 'In contrast', and 'As a result', to link ideas and show relationships between the data sets. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the information flows smoothly from the general trends to the specific details. There is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive use of linking words, and the structure supports the reader's understanding throughout.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.0
You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey the information precisely. Phrases like 'remained stable', 'grew sharply', 'levelled off', and 'climbed steadily' demonstrate a good command of descriptive language suitable for reporting trends. The vocabulary is accurate and fits the context of an academic report well. While the range is solid, incorporating a few more sophisticated synonyms or collocations related to data interpretation could elevate the response further. However, the current usage is natural and error-free, which is appropriate for this band level.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5
The response displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as the use of subordinate clauses ('While the number of visitors... remained stable') and participial phrases. The grammar is highly accurate, with no noticeable errors in tense, subject-verb agreement, or punctuation. The majority of sentences are error-free, and the control over complex structures is consistent. The writing is clear and professional, demonstrating a high level of grammatical competence that allows for the smooth communication of the data presented in the graph.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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