Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-08-19

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 6.5)

The line graph illustrates the number of travellers visiting a specific Caribbean island from 2010 to 2017. The data is measured in millions.

At a fleeting glance, it is clear that there were noticeable differences in the figures in tourism. In 2010, the island received one million tourists in total, of whom approximately 0.7 million stayed on the island, while only 0.3 million stayed on cruise ships. The total number then increased gradually, reaching 1.4 million in 2012 before rising more sharply to two million in 2013. It continued to grow to 2.4 million in 2014 and 2.6 million in 2015. After remaining stable in 2016, the figure climbed significantly to approximately 3.3 million in 2017.

Another remarkable feature is that, the number of tourists staying on the island initially remained stable at around 0.7 million from 2010 to 2011,before increasing to 1.4 million in 2013. It stood at roughly this level until 2015, after which it declined to around 1.2 million in 2016 and recovered slightly to 1.5 million in 2017. In contrast, cruise-ship visitors

fluctuated at first, falling from 0.3 million to 0.2 million between 2010 and 2012 respectively. However, the figure subsequently increased steadily, reaching 1 million in 2014, 1.1 million in 2015 and finally 2 million in 2017.

In the epilogue, the total number of tourists increased significantly, while cruise-ship visitors rose sharply and island visitors fluctuated in the given period of time.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response effectively covers all parts of the task. You have identified the main trends and provided relevant data points to support your descriptions. The overview is clear, and you have successfully made comparisons between the two categories (island stay vs. cruise ship). To reach a higher band, ensure that all data points are accurate; for instance, your description of the cruise ship figures shows some discrepancies with the visual data provided in the graph. However, the overall reporting is accurate and highlights the key features of the data well.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. You have used paragraphing effectively to separate the total figures from the specific categories. Cohesive devices such as 'In contrast', 'However', and 'After remaining stable' are used appropriately to link sentences and ideas. The flow is generally smooth, though the transition in the final paragraph using 'In the epilogue' is slightly unnatural in an academic context; 'In summary' or 'Overall' would be more standard. Nevertheless, the structure is coherent throughout.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey information with precision. Phrases like 'remained stable', 'increased gradually', and 'fluctuated' are used correctly. You also attempt some less common vocabulary, such as 'remarkable feature'. While the vocabulary is generally accurate, there are minor issues with word choice, such as 'In the epilogue', which is not the correct term for a summary of a graph. Overall, the lexical range is adequate for the task and allows for clear communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures with good control. Most sentences are error-free, and your use of punctuation is generally accurate. There are occasional minor slips, such as the unnecessary comma in 'Another remarkable feature is that, the number of tourists...', but these do not impede communication. You show a good grasp of tense usage for reporting past data. To improve, focus on ensuring that complex sentences remain grammatically sound and avoid minor punctuation errors to achieve a higher level of accuracy.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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