Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-08-20
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 5.5)
The given line graph depicts the information about the number of tourists who were visiting a particular Caribbean island between year 2010 and 2017. The data has been calibrated into millions.
Overall, it is crystal clear that the number of visitors visiting a Caribbean was highest in total however the lowest proportion of tourists were staying on Caribbean island.
At a fleeting glance, number of visitors in total was one million in the year 2010 which further increases up to 1.5 million of the visitors after two years in 2012. In total, number of visitors in 2013 steadily incline to 2 million. In 2014, this percentile increases to 2.5 million while it remains similar in both the years 2015 and 2016 of 2.5 million approximately. Surprisingly, in total number of visitors jump to 3.5 million in year 2017. The visitors staying on Cruise ships were only 0.25 millions approximately in year 2010 which slowly climb up to 0.5 in further year. In year 2012, the people staying on Cruise ships was slightly decreased to some ratio as in year 2010.
Moving further, from the year 2013 to year 2017 visitors staying on Cruise ships were ranging from 0.5 millions and gradually inclined to 2 millions in year 2017. Visitors staying on island in year 2010 and 2011 was same of 0.75 millions. From the year 2013 to 2015 tourists staying on island record similar trend of 1.5 millions. Moreover, in 3016 it declined to 1.25 millions after year in 2017 visitors staying on the island plunge to 1.5 millions of visitors.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main features of the graph, including the total visitor numbers and the breakdown between cruise and island stays. However, the overview is confusing; stating that the 'lowest proportion of tourists were staying on Caribbean island' is inaccurate based on the data, as island stays often exceed cruise stays. Additionally, there are significant data inaccuracies, such as claiming the total reached 3.5 million in 2017 when the graph shows 3.5 million for total, but the description of the cruise/island split is inconsistent with the visual evidence. The summary lacks a clear, accurate synthesis of the trends, which limits the score.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into paragraphs, but the logical progression is hindered by confusing transitions and inaccurate data reporting. While some cohesive devices are used (e.g., 'Moving further', 'Overall'), they are sometimes applied mechanically or inappropriately. The referencing is occasionally unclear, particularly when comparing the two categories of visitors. The flow between sentences is often disrupted by the need to correct the reader's interpretation of the data, making the overall structure feel disjointed rather than a smooth, logical summary of the provided information.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks precision. There is a reliance on repetitive phrasing such as 'number of visitors' and 'staying on'. Some word choices are awkward or incorrect, such as 'calibrated into millions' (data is usually 'measured' or 'represented') and 'percentile' (used incorrectly to refer to millions). There are also minor errors in collocation, such as 'steadily incline to' instead of 'steadily increased to'. To reach a higher band, you should use a wider variety of reporting verbs and nouns to describe trends, such as 'fluctuated', 'surged', or 'a significant proportion'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The essay contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. However, there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Examples include 'number of visitors in total was one million in the year 2010 which further increases' (tense inconsistency), 'visitors staying on island in year 2010 and 2011 was same' (missing articles and subject-verb agreement), and 'in 3016 it declined' (likely a typo for 2016). While the meaning is generally understandable, the frequency of these errors prevents the writing from reaching a higher band. Focus on subject-verb agreement and consistent tense usage when describing past data.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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