Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-08-24
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 line graph illustrate number of visitors visiting a Caribbean island between 2010 to 2017. There are three categories of tourists visiting Caribbean island - one who were staying on cruise ships, second who staying on island and the third category was the total of both category tourists.
Overall the numbers of visitors rose over a period. Specifically, visitors staying on cruise ships initially the visitor of that category remained stable from 2010 to 2011. However after 2011 visitors rising from 0.5 million in 2011 to 2 million in 2017. After 2014 it increased from 1 million to 1.25 million in 2015, then the number of tourist slightly rose to 1.5 million in 2016 and again went at 2 million in 2017.
Second category which was the visitors staying on island. Initially in 2010 it relatively low from our previous category. It started increasing in 2012 and then it never looked back, eventually reaching a peak of approximately 1.5 million visitors in 2017.
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
You have successfully identified the main features of the graph, including the three categories and the overall upward trend. However, the report lacks a clear summary of the total visitor figures, which is a key component of the data. While you describe the cruise ship and island-staying visitors, the 'total' category is mentioned but not analyzed in terms of its growth or peak. To reach a higher band, ensure that all data sets presented in the graph are clearly compared and summarized. The overview is present but could be more comprehensive by highlighting the most significant differences between the categories over the seven-year period.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is organized into logical paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the information. You use some cohesive devices, such as 'However' and 'Specifically', to transition between ideas. However, the flow is occasionally hindered by repetitive phrasing, such as starting sentences with 'Second category' or 'Initially'. The use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical. To improve, try to vary your linking words and ensure that the progression between sentences is smoother. For instance, instead of listing categories as separate entities, try to integrate them into a more cohesive narrative that compares their performance throughout the period.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'categories', 'stable', and 'peak'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'visitors rising from' instead of 'the number of visitors rose from' and 'went at 2 million' instead of 'reached 2 million'. Additionally, there is some repetition of basic vocabulary. To achieve a higher score, focus on using more precise reporting verbs and nouns, such as 'fluctuated', 'surged', or 'a significant increase', and ensure that your collocations are natural and accurate in an academic context.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. For example, 'The line graph illustrate' should be 'illustrates', and 'one who were staying' should be 'those who were staying'. There are also issues with article usage ('the visitor of that category') and tense consistency. While the meaning is generally clear, the frequency of these errors prevents the writing from reaching a higher band. Focus on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of articles to improve the overall accuracy of your sentences.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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