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 the number of touruists, measured in millions, who visited a particular Caribbean island between 2010 and 2017. It also compares visitors who stayed on the island with those who stayed on cruise ships.
Overall, the total number of tourists increased considerably over the period, rising from 1 million in 2010 to 3.5 million in 2017. Although both groups experienced growth, the number of visitors staying on cruise ships increased more dramatically. By contrast, the figure for tourists staying on the island remained relatively stable after 2013.
In 2010, approximately 0.75 million tourists stayed on the island, compared with only 0.25 million who stayed on cruise ships. The former figure remained unchanged in 2011 before climbing to 1.25 million in 2012. It then reached 1.5 million in 2013 and remained at this level until 2015. After falling slightly to 1.25 million in 2016, the figure recovered to 1.5 million in 2017.
Meanwhile, the number of cruise ship visitors fluctuated considerbly at first, falling from 0.25 million in 2010 to 0.2 million in 2012.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| 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 overall trend and specific data points. However, the report is incomplete as it cuts off abruptly after describing the cruise ship visitors' initial fluctuations. By failing to describe the final years for the cruise ship category or provide a concluding comparison, the response fails to fully address all parts of the task. While the overview is clear, the lack of completion significantly impacts the ability to provide a fully developed summary of the data.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The essay is logically organized into paragraphs, with a clear introduction, overview, and body paragraphs. Cohesive devices such as 'Although', 'By contrast', and 'Meanwhile' are used effectively to link ideas and contrast the two groups. The progression of information is logical until the text ends prematurely. Despite the incomplete nature of the final paragraph, the internal structure of the existing text is coherent and easy to follow.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The range of vocabulary is adequate for the task, using terms like 'fluctuated', 'remained relatively stable', and 'recovered'. There are minor spelling errors, such as 'illustrate' (should be 'illustrates') and 'touruists' (should be 'tourists'), as well as 'considerbly'. While the vocabulary is sufficient to convey the intended meaning, it lacks the sophistication or precision required for a higher band score. The range is functional but limited to common descriptive terms.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The student uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as the subordinate clause in 'Although both groups experienced growth...'. There are some grammatical slips, such as subject-verb agreement in 'The line graph illustrate' (should be 'illustrates'). Punctuation is generally accurate, and the errors present do not impede communication. The control of grammar is consistent, though the range of complex structures is somewhat limited.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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