Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · 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 7.5)

The line graph illustrates the total number of tourists travelling to a particular Caribbean island between 2010 and 2017, broken down into three categories: visitors staying on cruise ships, visitors staying on the island, and the total.

Overall, the total number of tourists showed an upward trend over the period. Although visitors staying on the island initially outnumbered those on cruise ships, the latter group eventually surpassed them around 2015.

In 2010, there were approximately 0.75 million visitors staying on the island, a figure that remained stable in 2011. By 2013, this number had risen dramatically to 1.5 million and stayed at this level for three years. However, in 2016, the figure dropped significantly to 1.25 million before recovering to 1.5 million in 2017.

Conversely, cruise ship visitors started at a much lower point of 0.25 million in 2010. This number doubled in 2011 but fell back to 0.25 million in 2012. From 2012 to 2015, the number increased considerably by 1 million to reach 1.25 million. In the final year, 2017, the number of cruise ship visitors rose sharply to 2 million, which was half a million more than the number of island stayers.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response effectively addresses all parts of the task. You have provided a clear overview of the trends and successfully selected and reported the main features, such as the crossover point in 2015 and the final figures in 2017. The data is accurately represented, and the comparisons between the two categories are well-integrated. The structure is logical, moving from a general overview to specific details for each category. To reach a higher band, ensure that all data points mentioned are strictly supported by the graph; for instance, ensure the 'total' category is explicitly referenced in the body paragraphs to provide a more comprehensive summary of the overall trend.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The response is well-organized with a clear progression of ideas. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate the overview from the detailed analysis. You have employed a range of cohesive devices, such as 'Although', 'Conversely', and 'However', which help to guide the reader through the comparisons. The referencing is clear, and the flow between sentences is smooth. The logical sequencing of information—starting with the island stayers and then contrasting with cruise ship visitors—is very effective. No significant issues with cohesion were noted, and the structure supports the reader's understanding throughout.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey information with precision. Phrases such as 'upward trend', 'surpassed', 'remained stable', and 'rose sharply' demonstrate a good command of academic language appropriate for a report. There is a good awareness of collocation, and the vocabulary is used naturally. To improve further, you could incorporate more sophisticated synonyms or varied reporting verbs to avoid repetition of 'number' and 'figure'. Overall, the lexical range is flexible and allows for clear communication of the data trends.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The response displays a good variety of complex structures, such as the use of subordinate clauses ('Although visitors staying on the island initially outnumbered...') and participial phrases. The majority of sentences are error-free, and your control over tense usage (past simple for the historical data) is consistent and accurate. Punctuation is used correctly to manage sentence boundaries. While the grammar is strong, ensure that you maintain this level of accuracy throughout; the current level of control is very high, with only rare, minor slips that do not impede communication.

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

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