Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-08-22
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 compares the number of people who visited a Caribbean island from 2010 to 2017.
It is clear that the total number of tourists visiting the island has increased over the period. Overall, the individuals those stayed on the cruise ships rose significantly between 2010 and 2017. In contrast, visitors stayed on island increased steadily and most of the time showed a stable figure over the years.
In 2010, approximately 1 million visitors came to Carribean island which peaked briefly at before levelling off at 2.75 million in 2015. Then the figure reached at 3.5 million in 2017.
The number of people stayed on cruise ships experienced most erratic growth. The figure started at around 0.25 million of tourists and reached at 0.5 million in 2011 before dropping to 0.25 million in 2012. Then the trend experienced a sharp rise at 2 million in 2017. The number of people stayed on island was relatively stable. From 2010 to 2011 the figure levelled off at 0.75 million which showed a rise to 1.5 in 2013 and levelled off before dropping to 1.25 in 2016. Finally, the trend increased to 1.5 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 the main features of the graph, including the overall trend and the specific data points for both cruise ship and island visitors. You successfully identified the key comparison between the two categories. However, the report lacks precision in some areas; for example, the description of the total number of visitors in 2010 is slightly confusing, and the data points for the island visitors are not always clearly linked to the specific years. To reach a higher band, ensure that all data points mentioned are accurate according to the graph and that the overview clearly highlights the most significant differences between the two categories throughout the entire period.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The essay is logically organized into paragraphs, with an introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs focusing on different categories. The progression of ideas is generally clear. However, the use of cohesive devices is sometimes mechanical or repetitive, such as the frequent use of 'the figure' or 'the trend'. Additionally, some transitions between sentences feel slightly abrupt. To improve, try using a wider variety of linking words and referencing expressions to connect your ideas more fluidly, ensuring that the relationship between the data points is explicitly stated rather than just listed.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
You have a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey the information, using terms like 'levelling off', 'erratic growth', and 'sharp rise'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'individuals those stayed' (should be 'individuals who stayed') and 'reached at' (the verb 'reach' does not take a preposition). There is also a minor spelling error ('Carribean'). To achieve a higher score, focus on using more precise collocations and ensure that your vocabulary is used in a natural, grammatically correct way within the sentence structure.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical errors, particularly with relative clauses and prepositions, such as 'people stayed on cruise ships' (should be 'people who stayed') and 'reached at 3.5 million'. Some sentences are slightly awkward, which occasionally forces the reader to re-read. To improve, focus on mastering the use of relative pronouns and ensuring that verbs are followed by the correct prepositions. Increasing the variety of complex sentence structures while maintaining accuracy will help raise your score.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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