Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-08-16
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 6.0)
The line graph illustrates the number of tourists who visited a particular Caribbean island between the years 2010 and 2017.
Overall, total number of visitors showed increasing trend over the period. Visitors who stayed on island witnessed fluctuations throughout the years 2010 to 2017. In contrast, the visitors who stayed on cruise ships experienced upward trend.
Firstly, the total number of visitors witnessed gradual increase in overall trend. Starting from 1 million in 2010 and rose to 1.5 million in year 2012, this constantly increasing number then rose to 2.7 million in the year 2015, remained stable till 2016 and then again the number increased to 3.5 in 2017.
Secondly, the visitors who stayed on island, underwent fluctuations. The number of visitors observed to be 0.7 in 2017 stayed constant up to 2011 and then rose to 1.2 million in 2012. It showed steady increasing trend, recorded as 1.5 million in the years 2013 to 2015 and fell to 1.2 million again in year 2016 after that it again showed upward trend and reached to 1.5 million again in year 2017. On the other hand, the visitors who stayed on cruise ships witnessed increasing trend starting from 0.2 million in 2010 and rose to 0.5 million in 2011 before falling to 0.2 million again in 2012. After that, it underwent upward trend over the next years, and peaked at 2 million in 2017.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 6.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0
The response covers all key features of the graph, including the overall trends and specific data points for the three categories. You have successfully identified the main trends, such as the overall increase and the fluctuations in island-staying visitors. However, the report could be improved by providing more precise comparisons between the categories rather than just listing data. For instance, noting that cruise ship visitors overtook island visitors by the end of the period would strengthen the analysis. The overview is clear, and the data is generally accurate, meeting the requirements for a Band 6.5 or 7.0 level of reporting.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, overview, and body paragraphs. You use cohesive devices such as 'Firstly', 'Secondly', and 'On the other hand' to guide the reader. However, some transitions feel slightly mechanical, and the referencing could be smoother. For example, the phrase 'after that it again showed upward trend' is a bit repetitive. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring that each paragraph has a clear thematic focus would help elevate the score. Overall, the progression of ideas is clear and easy to follow.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'fluctuations', 'upward trend', and 'remained stable'. There are some minor inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'witnessed gradual increase in overall trend' (which is slightly redundant) and missing articles (e.g., 'on island' instead of 'on the island'). To reach a higher band, try to incorporate more precise collocations and avoid repeating the same verbs like 'witnessed' or 'showed'. The vocabulary is sufficient to communicate the information clearly, but lacks the sophistication required for a higher band.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is always clear, there are frequent minor errors, particularly with articles ('on island', 'in year 2012') and prepositions. Some sentences are slightly awkward, such as 'The number of visitors observed to be 0.7 in 2017 stayed constant up to 2011'. While these errors do not impede communication, they are persistent. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of articles when referring to specific years or locations. Increasing the variety of complex sentence structures would also be beneficial.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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